Defending champion Barcelona is seeking momentum to revive its poor season as it faces its historic rival Real Madrid, who is looking for revenge, this Sunday evening in Saudi Arabia during the final of the Spanish Super Cup. The match will take place at Al Nassr's "Al Nassr Park Stadium" in the capital, Riyadh, which has a capacity of nearly 25,000 spectators. The match will kick off at 22:00 Saudi time.
Saudi Arabia has previously hosted three editions of the Spanish Super Cup, with Real Madrid winning the title in 2020 in Jeddah against Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout. The royal team also proved its worth again in 2022 in Riyadh against Athletic Bilbao (2-0), while Barcelona won the title in 2023 in Riyadh.
Barcelona holds the record for the most Super Cup wins with 14 titles, ahead of Real Madrid (12), Athletic Bilbao, and Deportivo La Coruña (3), and Atlético Madrid (2).
In tonight's match, coach Xavi Hernandez, who won his first title as the coach of the Catalan team last year against Real Madrid (3-1), does not seem to be the favorite against the white castle, which hasn't tasted defeat in its last 20 matches across all competitions.
Barcelona faced difficulty in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup last Thursday when they confronted Osasuna, the runner-up in the Copa del Rey and ranked 12th in the league, managing to win with difficulty by two second-half goals from Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and young talent Lamine Yamal.
On the other hand, Madrid had a fiery battle with their fierce neighbor Atletico, winning 5-3 after extra time, as Carlo Ancelotti's men were down 2-3 in the 85th minute.
Xavi confirmed in a press conference in the Saudi capital the night before the anticipated match, "We arrive in less form than Real Madrid, but when the ball rolls, it will be 50-50." He added, "We will try to control the game, impose our character and style of play."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid appears "hungry" for victory and "to win the first title this year," according to his Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who relies on young Englishman Jude Bellingham, who has scored 17 goals in 22 matches in the league and the Champions League.
