A clásico to decide the Super Cup and the future
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona go head to head once again in the final in Riyadh of the first major competition of the year and the one that marks the start of the future of the football season.
The importance of a tournament, like that of an artist, is not only determined by the quality of their work, but also by that work’s capacity to influence other things.
Thus, the successful Spanish Super Cup has become a star in its own right as a football tournament that shines brightly to start the new year. At the same time it has a gravitational force of such magnitude that is pulling new fans in all the time due to its thrilling 4-team knockout format constantly serving up classic matches, moreover giving teams the chance to set off into the new year with a new energy.
Click here to listen to Carlo Ancelotti, Xavi Hernández, Nacho Fernández and Sergi Roberto during the final preview.
That was the case last season when FC Barcelona came out on top in the final against Real Madrid in Riyadh, a turning point in their form that would lead to Xavi Hernandez's side being crowned Primera Division champions a matter of months later.
Ancelotti's side, for their part, triumphed in the Copa del Rey and that is why this Sunday's clasico in Riyadh (20:00 Spanish peninsular time live on Movistar Plus+ and with comprehensive coverage across this official media) is framed as a final between champions that will determine the future of the season on a national and European level.
This was the official reception at the Spanish Embassy on the eve of the match.
Aware of the importance of the match, both coaches will launch their most dangerous weapons onto the pitch of the Al-Awwal stadium. There are question marks over who will be in goal for Real Madrid, who are short defensively but full of morale after their display in the semi-final Madrid derby.
In addition to the absentees that the Whites are having to deal with this week in Saudi Arabia, the Catalans are also missing Raphinha after he picked up an injury in the previous match, with Joao Cancelo and Iñigo Martínez not yet given the all clear from the team doctors, but with Pedri back against Osasuna and ready for the final in Riyadh.
Watch the two coaches greeting each other ahead of the big clash in Riyadh
A spectacular ceremony will precede the match, which Benidorm-born Juan Martínez Munuera will officiate with César Soto Grado as video assistant referee in what the referees want to be a celebration of sportsmanship, with the big winner being Spanish football on the whole.
The occasion deserves it in this #superSupercopa, the fortieth in history and a step up in the extraordinary quality of a tournament that is getting better and better in every way.
