Both qualified on penalties, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona find themselves in the final of the Spanish Super Cup with the first title of the Spanish season at stake.
The desert of the Arabian Peninsula has become a vacation spot for major sporting events at the start of the year. A month after the World Cup final in Qatar and as the Dakar crosses the sands of Saudi Arabia, another sporting event is taking place in the heart of the desert. Like last year and in 2020, the Spanish football league has decided to relocate its Supercup, a mini-competition bringing together four teams with the key to the first trophy of the season. A way to export Spanish football and reach another audience like sponsors. If there are many reasons for such a relocation, those relating to the terrain are unmistakably similar to the Iberian Peninsula.
Xavi: ‘You dream of playing in the finals against Real Madrid’
Invited to participate, Betis Sevilla and Valencia did better than appear and pushed their opponents to penalties but in the end, it was FC Barcelona and Real Madrid who qualified for the final. A first since the competition adopted this four-man format and a great advertisement for the Saudi organizer. Last season, this Clasico had also taken place but in the semi-finals not exactly the same issue. This time, Blaugranas and Merengues are playing a final in a match where it is always a matter of supremacy. At a press conference, Xavi did not hide his enthusiasm, he who ten years ago was still on the field to face the eternal rival. “When you’re a kid, you think about it, you dream of playing in the finals against Real Madrid and everyone seeing you”translates the former Catalan metronome, winner of the Super Cup against Real in 2011.
This time, it is on the bench that he will experience this final, his first as a coach. Passionate, Xavi tries to transmit the fire that drives him, as in the semi-finals when he motivated his men to redouble their efforts. “We are not afraid, we are not anxious. We have a golden chance in front of us to win a title which would give us enormous confidence”, he argued. A contagious ambition and which the Blaugrana group really needs when it has not shone in its last two outings, with qualification snatched in extra time in the Copa del Rey and therefore on penalties three days ago. Two matches which also highlighted his moral resources. Satisfaction as much as having a full workforce. “We arrive with all our squad available, it’s a big difference. We will try to set up our game, control their transitions and destabilize them in defense, where they are very strong. In the game, in truth, it won’t change much from the October clasico (Barcelona defeat 1-3)”predicts Xavi.
Ancelotti undefeated since 2010
On the other side of the field, Real Madrid will not make any gifts. The club has made a specialty of finals, as has its coach. Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti, crowned with 24 titles since he has been on the benches, has simply not lost a final (in a match) for almost 13 years and a Community Shield in 2010 against Manchester United (1- 3). A bulimia which is far from having satiated him. “We fight every day precisely for this, to reach a final. The team is motivated and confident, because we are used to this type of pressure. All titles are important for this club. They give us motivation , confidence, they bring the good atmosphere… There are a lot of things at stake in this match”admits the Italian technician, as the 100th title in the history of the White House, according to his own statistics. “We are at a very demanding club, which does not allow you to think that you have already won enough. We have players who started winning in 2013, who continue to win today, and who never get tired of win. And that will never happen, because they have very deep mental resources.”he continues.
The fact of facing FC Barcelona further increases the stakes and the desire to shine. Question of rivalry and history. In this relentless quest, Ancelotti should rely on his executives, starting with Benzema back at a good level after his last minute withdrawal before the start of the World Cup. “Karim has returned, it gives us a lot of confidence for the next matches. I feel he is very motivated, he is training well, he is a very important part of our collective. The team made up for his absence during the first part of the season, and now he will help us a lot in the second half.”, assures the former Milanese. He will be with Kroos or Carvajal among the captains responsible for showing the way to their young teammates. Opposite, Barcelona have lost this habit and will summon other forces. “Whatever happens, the season will continue. But with a title in your pocket, everything is different. We have an obligation to win this title”, urges Xavi, more motivated than ever to break the series of his Italian counterpart and win his first coaching title in Blaugrana. Who of the pupil or the master, the aspirant or the caliph will find in the desert the oasis of his ambitions?
The kick-off of the Spanish Super Cup final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be given at 8 p.m., at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
The Spanish Super Cup final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will be broadcast exclusively and unencrypted on the antenna of The Channel The Team.
The meeting between Real Madrid led by Carlo Ancelotti and FC Barcelona led by Xavi will be available for streaming on channel 21 of TNT.
BetClic: Real Madrid: 2.72 / Draw: 3.50 / FC Barcelona: 2.45
Sports betting: Real Madrid: 2.65 / Draw: 3.45 / FC Barcelona: 2.55
Winamax: Real Madrid: 2.70 / Draw: 3.45 / FC Barcelona: 2.45
Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy – Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga – Rodrygo, Vinicius, Benzema (cap.).
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Sergi Roberto, Araujo, Koundé, Alba – Buquets (cap.), Gavi, Pedri – Dembélé, Lewandowski, Fati.