By Fausto Triana
Not to change, there are plenty of aspects to raise the tension between the two most media teams in Spain and, also, purely sporting analyzes that could tip the balance towards one side or the other.
From the outset, it is another revenge. In 2023, Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup trophy, a tournament that is given little value, but that everyone wants to win. They won 3-1.
Then last year, Real Madrid defeated the Catalans by a 4-1 win. However, last October, the Catalans hit back in LaLiga, with a resounding 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu itself.
In parallel, for weeks a psychodrama began in Barcelona for not being able to register the attackers Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. A precautionary measure from the Higher Sports Council (CSD) will allow them to be in Sunday’s final of the Super Cup, while the Barcelona club’s claim file is still being analyzed.
Furthermore, Barça arrives in need of success, after falling on the verge of the end of the year with Atlético de Madrid 1-2 and thus surrendering the leadership it retained in the national competition.
-With the drive of the youngster Lamine Yamal and the more experienced Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, the team led by the German Hansi Flick seeks to regain its best sensations. It was convincing by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0.
In addition, he hopes to continue with Pedri’s rising performance in the midfield, Gavi’s full recovery and the incentive of Olmo’s return.
Up front, coach Carlo Ancelotti knows that moving things at this time is delicate. It ended with the team exhausted after the effort against the struggling Mallorca, although the scoreboard reflected an apparent easy 3-0.
He needs the best offensive performances of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, and eventually the effective Jude Bellingham. The midfield with the defensive leadership of Valverde and Camavinga, and a defensive lock with Rudiger, Tchouameni and Courtois, not always reliable with the full-backs Mendy and Vázquez.
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