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 The record winners with 26 domestic Cup triumphs, Barca go into
their semi-final, first leg at home to Villarreal on the back of
Sunday's 5-2 La Liga romp at Athletic Bilbao which lifted them to
within a point of leaders Real Madrid.
With a Champions League last 16 clash at Manchester City looming at
the end of the month, Luis Enrique's side have a confidence about
them that has largely been missing since a golden era under Pep
Guardiola between 2008 and 2012.
The club have been beset by off-field woes in recent months,
including a tax evasion probe into the signing of Neymar, but the
Brazil forward and his team mates do not appear to have lost their
focus.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been in spectacular form, scoring
one goal and having a hand in the other four at the San Mames,
despite reports of a bust-up with Luis Enrique, who is in his first
term in charge at the Nou Camp.
Luis Enrique warned after the Bilbao success that Barca were bound
to suffer more blips between now and the end of the season as they
seek to return to winning ways after failure to win major silverware
in 2013-14.
"It was a very good night for us but there will be surprises for all
the teams across the rest of the season," the former Barca and Spain
midfielder told a news conference.
"It would be wrong to start beating our chests now," he added.
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"What we need to do now is be prepared so we can improve our
performances, which will be key for the remainder of the campaign."
Villarreal, who lost 3-2 at Barca in La Liga this month, have
already achieved their best Cup result by reaching the semi-finals.
They are sixth in La Liga and play Austria's Salzburg in the last 32
of the Europa League this month.
The winners of the Cup semi-final will play Athletic Bilbao, who
claimed their 23rd and most recent success in 1984, or 2006 winners
Espanyol in the final at the end of May.
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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