Who will play: Real Madrid or Barcelona?
The biggest game of the Spanish season
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah
When: Sunday at 10:00 PM (19:00 GMT)
Stay up-to-date with Al Jazeera’s live coverage as they provide text, photos, and opinion.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid has stated that his team has a chance to get even with Barcelona for their previous season beating by winning the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday—but only if they don’t repeat their mistakes.
In October, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga. However, Real Madrid surpassed them in the table due to a downturn before the winter break.
Ancelotti stated at a press conference held on Saturday, prior to the match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that “we have to think about that game obviously,” adding that “they beat us.” He also mentioned that the team analyzed the situation clearly.
Our performance in the first half was strong, but we struggled in the second; moving forward, we need to build on our successes while avoiding our failures.
“Having played Barcelona on multiple occasions, playing in a final against them is always an incredible experience. The Clasico becomes even more intense when it’s the final.”
Could Madrid strike a balance to accommodate Mbappe, Bellingham, and the rest?
After signing French superstar Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain last year, Madrid is still trying to find a balance between their offense and defense, despite a 3-0 semifinal victory against Mallorca on Thursday.
Along with Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes, these four players offer Madrid a huge offensive advantage, but they may also cost them if Madrid isn’t careful defensively.
“In recent Clasicos, individual quality has prevailed over team balance,” Ancelotti continued. Maintaining a steady equilibrium and working together as a team to defend will be crucial in the final.
“Your chances of winning increase if you can hold your own defensively.”
Despite a great 2024 for Madrid (LaLiga and the Champions League), Ancelotti has previously stated that the loss to Barcelona was his worst memory of the season.
“We’re close to another title, we’re thinking positively,” Ancelotti added, describing his team’s current success. However, he also warned that, “In football, everything can happen,” particularly against a powerful and competitive opponent like Barcelona.
No one can deny that our squad has gotten better. Even though a loss would be disappointing, the team is not regressing; rather, it will continue to advance.
In exchange for Gavi, will Barcelona trade for the temporarily relieved Olmo?
Following a contentious decision by Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD), Dani Olmo, a midfielder for Barcelona, will be authorized to play.
The Catalan club beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the semifinals on Wednesday without the Spanish international playing a part since his clearance was delayed until the last possible moment.
“Olmo will play and we have to minimise his quality,” Ancelotti remarked, continuing his refusal to comment on the scandal that has worsened Spanish football.
Flick, who took over as coach at the conclusion of last season from Barça great Xavi, stated that Olmo was prepared to play, but hinted that Gavi, who excelled in the attacking midfield role against Athletic Bilbao in the semifinal, would start instead.
Gavi is very confident, and he played quite well against Athletic. According to Flick, “I am not 100 percent sure of who will play,” but he believes he will participate.
After joining Barcelona, the German coach has yet to win a trophy, but the Super Cup presents his first opportunity.
The victory will give us confidence for the remainder of the season, Flick said. “It would mean a lot to everyone if we won the game.”
The Supercopa de Espa\a is what?
Teams who finish first or second in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, Spain’s domestic league and cup competitions, meet in the Supercopa.
Played initially in 1982 with just the league and cup champions, the field was increased to four teams in 2020.
As of right now, Real Madrid are kings of the league, Barcelona is in second place, and Athletic Bilbao is holding the trophy after beating Mallorca in last season’s final.
The Spanish Supercopa final takes place where?
All three of this year’s Supercopa matches will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The stadium has played host to two World Cup semifinals before welcoming the Saudi national team for the 2034 tournament.
How many people have won the Supercopa?
In the 2024 Supercopa final, Real Madrid prevailed over Barcelona with a score of 4-1.
Even last year’s event took place in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh serving as the host city.
After Robert Lewandowski had given Barca a lone lead in the first half, Rodrygo put the game away for Los Blancos in the second half after Vinicius Junior had scored a triple trick in the first.
Barça defeated Osasuna, while Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid in the semifinals.
Club news from Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Aurelien Tchouameni all took blows in Thursday’s semifinal, but they are all eligible to play in the final.
Since Luca Modric withdrew the day before Real Madrid’s quarterfinal triumph over Mallorca, he continues to be the team’s biggest question mark.
Neither Eder Militao nor Dani Carvajal are playing any significant role.
Courtois, Vazquez, Rudiger, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. are the players Real Madrid expect to start.
