Real Madrid and Barcelona Set for Supercopa Showdown
As the football world gears up for another thrilling Clásico, Real Madrid and Barcelona are once again on a collision course in the Spanish Supercopa final. This highly anticipated match will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET, and fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ in the U.S. only. It’s the third consecutive season that these two giants of Spanish football have met at this stage, with the winner historically going on to claim the LaLiga title. Barcelona took the honors in 2023, while Madrid triumphed last year.
Both teams have had their share of ups and downs this season, but they arrive in Jeddah with their star-studded lineups ready to shine. For Real Madrid, the attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham is showing signs of hitting top form. Meanwhile, Barcelona welcomes back Lamine Yamal from injury, who will join forces with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. Dani Olmo is also back in the squad after resolving a registration issue that kept him out of the semifinal.
Clásico All-Time Head-to-Head
All competitions
Madrid 105, Barcelona 101, Draws 52
Finals
Madrid 5, Barcelona 4
Reflecting on the Last Clásico
In October, Barcelona delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, marking the peak of their early-season form. This match was a testament to Hansi Flick’s high-risk, high-line strategy, which caught Madrid off guard and sparked a mini-crisis for Los Blancos. Despite the scoreline, the game was much closer than it appeared, with Madrid missing several opportunities to score. If Mbappé had been more clinical, the outcome might have been different.
Madrid had their chances, but poor finishing and offside calls thwarted their efforts. Robert Lewandowski’s two quick goals in the second half sealed the deal for Barcelona, and late contributions from Yamal and Raphinha added gloss to the scoreline. However, this doesn’t guarantee a repeat performance, as past Clásico results have shown that big wins don’t always predict future outcomes. Madrid will be looking to their last Supercopa encounter in January 2024, where Vinícius Júnior’s hat trick led them to a 4-1 victory.
Season So Far: Real Madrid and Barcelona
Real Madrid: Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid has already secured two trophies this season: the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. They’re aiming for a third in Jeddah, despite a somewhat inconsistent start to the season. Early draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas raised concerns, and high-profile defeats to Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool in the Champions League, along with the home loss to Barça, have been setbacks. Injuries, particularly to Dani Carvajal, have also been a challenge.
However, the team is showing signs of improvement. Jude Bellingham has been a standout performer, with Vinícius Júnior not far behind. Mbappé’s goal-scoring form has picked up, although he hasn’t reached his peak yet. The defense, especially the full-backs, remains a weak point, with Lucas Vázquez struggling to fill Carvajal’s shoes.
Barcelona: Barcelona’s season can be divided into two phases: before and after November. Before November, they were in scintillating form, winning 12 of 14 games and scoring four or more goals in seven of those matches, including victories over Madrid and Bayern Munich. Since November, their form has dipped, with seven wins out of 13 games and five losses, including unexpected home defeats to Las Palmas and Leganés.
Several factors have been cited for this decline. Raphinha mentioned fatigue, Lewandowski pointed to the team’s mentality in smaller games, and the absence of Yamal was felt. Opponents have also exploited Barça’s high defensive line, which was initially a strength. However, recent wins against Barbastro and Athletic Club suggest they may have turned a corner, as Flick described November as a “s— month.”
Key Clashes to Watch
- Mbappé vs. the Barcelona Defense: In their last meeting, Mbappé was caught offside a career-high eight times, six in the first half. His finishing was also off, but since then, he’s been finding the net more regularly. A standout performance against Barça could be the defining moment of his season.
- Yamal vs. Mendy: Yamal returned from injury with a goal in the semifinal against Athletic. Ferland Mendy will be wary of the threat posed by the 17-year-old, having been outplayed by him in October. This battle could be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
Clásico Predictions
Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona: Expect goals at both ends. Madrid’s defense looked shaky against Mallorca, and Barcelona’s isn’t as solid as it once was. The game will hinge on which team is more clinical. Bellingham is likely to shine, and Vinícius Júnior will be eager to make an impact after being substituted against Mallorca. It promises to be an entertaining match.
Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona: The first goal will be crucial. If Barça scores first, it will force Madrid to open up, while if Madrid scores, Barça tends to chase the game too early. This could mirror the last two finals between these teams, with the first goal scorer likely to win comfortably.
Betting Odds
Real Madrid -125, Barcelona -105 (at time of publication)
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland,Sam Marsden
