Will Barcelona and Real Madrid Clash Again in the Spanish Super Cup Final?
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Key Takeaways
Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Jan 10 (NationPress) Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to face off once more in the Spanish Super Cup final this Sunday in Jeddah, marking the fourth consecutive time these rivals have competed in this prestigious match since the tournament transitioned to a four-team format in 2020 and relocated to Saudi Arabia.
This final mirrors last season's Copa del Rey championship, where Barcelona triumphed 3-2 after extra time in April. Earlier this season, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in October.
Arriving in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona leads La Liga's scoring charts with a four-point advantage over their primary competitor. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds the future of Xabi Alonso as the coach of Real Madrid, as reported by Xinhua.
Alonso’s team advanced past Atletico Madrid in the second semifinal, although Atletico outperformed them. Poor finishing combined with stellar goalkeeping from Thibaut Courtois kept Atletico from scoring.
Barcelona is less likely to squander opportunities, particularly with Lamine Yamal rejuvenated after limited play in his team's comfortable win against Athletic Bilbao.
Real Madrid had to exert significant effort to overcome Atletico, leaving both teams fatigued after their semifinal. Notably, Alonso's squad has 24 hours less time to recuperate compared to Barcelona.
Injury issues also plague Alonso, with central defender Antonio Rudiger likely to miss the match due to a knee problem. Additionally, Rodrygo, who netted the second goal in the semifinal, is uncertain due to a muscle issue.
This situation could lead to either Dean Huijsen or Aurelien Tchouameni partnering with Raul Asencio in central defense. There remains ambiguity regarding Kylian Mbappe's availability.
Real Madrid's leading scorer missed the semifinal due to a knee injury but made the trip to Jeddah. In his pre-final press conference, Alonso did not rule out the possibility of Mbappe starting, but emphasized that the club would avoid unnecessary risks with such a vital player.
Even if Mbappe does not play, his presence in Jeddah will elevate expectations among Real Madrid supporters and could instill a sense of uncertainty for Barcelona. Last season, Barcelona routed Real Madrid 5-2 in the equivalent matchup, and Alonso is determined to prevent a repeat.