Real Madrid and Barcelona gear up for a faceoff in the Supercopa de Espana final at Al-Awwal Stadium this Sunday, marking their first shot at silverware this season. The semi-finals saw both teams navigate through tough challenges.
The Al-Awwal Stadium witnessed Los Blancos’ spectacular comeback as they conquered city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 in extra time on January 10. Trailing 3-2 until the 84th minute, Dani Carvajal’s decisive goal forced the game into extra time, ultimately securing their spot in the final. Under Carlo Ancelotti’s leadership, Real Madrid currently leads La Liga, displaying top-notch form and dominance in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Barcelona, on the other hand, clinched a 2-0 victory against Osasuna in their Supercopa de Espana semi-final clash at the same venue on Thursday. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal propelled them into the final. Despite trailing Real Madrid by seven points in La Liga, Xavi’s squad is eyeing this match as a pivotal moment to shift momentum and boost confidence for the remainder of the season. Barcelona has also advanced to the Champions League Round of 16, where they face a formidable challenge against Napoli.
As the football giants converge for the Supercopa de Espana final, the clash promises to be a spectacle for fans worldwide. The organizers, who invested significantly to host the tournament in Saudi Arabia, will be delighted to witness the showdown between the two largest football clubs in Spain.
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Team News
Real Madrid
Real Madrid faces the absence of key players, with Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois sidelined since the beginning of the season due to ACL injuries. Adding to the defensive setback, David Alaba, who picked up an ACL injury in December, remains unavailable. Lucas Vazquez is on the road to recovery from a hamstring injury but is not expected to feature in the final.
On a positive note, Federico Valverde, despite coming off with a knock in the semi-final win, is expected to be fit for the final. Reports from Spain indicate that his injury is not severe, providing a boost to Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield options. With the intensity of the previous match, Ancelotti may consider injecting fresh legs into the squad, with Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos as potential options.
However, Dani Carvajal’s absence from full training due to a muscle strain adds a layer of concern for the manager as he evaluates defensive options.
Barcelona
Barcelona, too, grapples with injury concerns heading into the final. Midfielder Gavi is ruled out due to an ACL injury, while Inigo Martinez and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are unavailable. Doubts loom over the participation of Joao Cancelo and Marcos Alonso, who missed the semi-final against Osasuna.
Raphina, who suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final, is also uncertain for the final. The 16-year-old Lamine Yamal replaced him in the previous match. On a positive note for Barcelona, Pedri made a return off the bench and is a potential starter, adding depth to their midfield. Joao Cancelo is also pushing to be in contention.
Possible Starting XIs: Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Real Madrid Possible Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Kepa
- Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez, Ferland Mendy
- Midfielders: Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham
- Attackers: Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes
Barcelona Possible Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Inaki Pena
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong
- Attackers: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres
Players to Keep an Eye On in the Real Madrid vs Barcelona Showdown
Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr.: All eyes will be on the Brazilian winger as he aims to reclaim his scintillating pre-injury form. With six goals and four assists in 13 games before his hamstring setback in November, Vinicius is a dynamic force in the attack. Despite still building up match fitness, his potential impact in the final cannot be underestimated.
Jude Bellingham: The Englishman has been a revelation for Real Madrid this season, emerging as their top scorer with an impressive tally of 17 goals. Bellingham’s knack for finding the back of the net, highlighted by his emphatic match winner in their last La Liga meeting at Barca’s home ground, makes him a player to watch closely.
Rodrygo Goes: Rodrygo has been on a scintillating form for the last matches racking up goals & assists for fun. His dribbling has been a joy to watch, sometimes making him look like he’s gliding across the pitch.
Barcelona
Ferran Torres: The Spanish attacker has demonstrated excellence whenever given the opportunity, contributing seven goals and three assists in 26 appearances this season. With Robert Lewandowski’s form on the decline and Raphinha facing potential injury concerns, Ferran Torres emerges as a pivotal threat in Barcelona’s attacking arsenal. His ability to impact the game could play a crucial role in the outcome of the final.
Pedri: He may have played limited minutes this season due to injuries but certainly looks class apart for Barcelona whenever he’s on the pitch. Xavi will be hoping Pedri can start for them and make the difference.
Gundogan: Gundogan has been on a rich vein of form this season racking up goals and assists, even though he’s operating from a deeper midfield role. And as always he steps up in big matches, just like when he scored Barca’s goal in the last El Classico meeting and Xavi will be hoping for the same narrative to pan out again.
Recent Form & Prediction
As Real Madrid and Barcelona gear up for the Supercopa de Espana final, the stark contrast in their current forms sets the stage for a riveting clash. Real Madrid enters the match with an impeccable record, showcasing dominance across competitions.
Real Madrid’s Season Highlights:
- Unbeaten Streak: The Galacticos boast an extraordinary 20-game unbeaten streak across various competitions, a testament to their resilience and quality.
- La Liga Summit: Despite grappling with injury challenges, Real Madrid confidently sits atop the La Liga table, showcasing their ability to navigate obstacles.
- Star Returns: The return of key players like Vinicius and Tchouameni injects additional strength into an already formidable lineup of Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo.
- Goal-Scoring Prowess: With a six-game winning run and a penchant for scoring at least three goals in four of those victories, Real Madrid’s attacking prowess is a force to be reckoned with.
On the flip side, Barcelona has encountered struggles and inconsistency this season:
- Mid-Table Dilemma: Barcelona finds themselves in third place in La Liga, struggling to replicate the convincing performances of their arch-rivals.
- Narrow Wins: Despite securing wins, Barcelona’s performances lack the clinical edge witnessed in Real Madrid’s dominant run.
- Form Concerns: The Blaugrana faced difficulties before the winter break, dropping points to Valencia and Girona before narrowly overcoming Almeria.
- Defensive Vulnerability: While recording four consecutive wins, Barcelona has conceded five goals, highlighting potential defensive vulnerabilities.
With both managers boasting four wins each in their head-to-head encounters, the Supercopa de Espana final presents an opportunity for one to gain the upper hand.
In this high-stakes clash, Real Madrid’s relentless momentum, coupled with their firepower on display against Atletico, positions them as the favorites for victory. While acknowledging the potential impact of Barcelona’s emerging talent Vitor Roque, the balance tips in favor of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
And we predict a 3-1 score line in favor of Real Madrid to lift their 13th Supercopa.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Rivalry in Numbers
Head-to-Head Battles: The two giants have locked horns an astounding 255 times in competitive fixtures. Real Madrid holds the edge in the head-to-head record with 104 victories, while Barcelona isn’t far behind, boasting a century of wins. The intense nature of their encounters is reflected in the 51 draws recorded over the years.
Recent Encounters: In the last 12 meetings, a clear pattern has emerged, with Real Madrid securing eight wins and Barcelona claiming victory in four clashes.
Supercopa de Espana Showdowns: The Supercopa de Espana has witnessed 16 meetings between the two rivals, with Real Madrid holding a 9-5 lead in wins. Two games ended in draws. Barcelona’s 3-1 triumph in the final last season marked a significant breakthrough, ending a streak of four consecutive defeats in the Supercopa against Real Madrid from 2012 to 2022.
Current Form of Real Madrid: Heading into the latest clash, Real Madrid stands unbeaten in their last 20 games across all competitions, an impressive streak featuring 17 wins.
When & Where to Watch Live in India: Streaming Details
The Supercopa de Espana Final Clash between Real Madrid & Barcelona will be streamed exclusively on FanCode. You’ll have to avail a match pass for 25 INR or you can subscribe to their monthly pass for 199 INR.
Date – Monday, January 15
Kick-off Time – 12:30 am IST
