The Real Madrid and the FC Barcelona are measured on Sunday (14:00 from Ecuador) in Riyadh in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in the first classic of 2023, for the first time since it was played with its new four-way final format.
since in 2020 started this new way of playing the Super Cupthe two giants of Spanish football had not yet met in the final for the trophy.
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The Barcelona team will seek to make up for the defeat suffered against the meringues in the semifinal of the last edition of the Super Cup (3-2 after extra time) and, incidentally, raise a trophy that would give him a lot of morale.
“The title would mean a lot to us and even more so against Madrid. No matter what happens, the season will continue, but with a title in your pocket, everything changes,” he said. this Saturday the Barça coach, Xavi Hernandezat a press conference.
Xavi, who came to the Catalan team’s bench a year ago, He still hasn’t won any trophy with Barça and he now has within reach to release his record.
“It’s been a long time since we won titles. We have to show our desire, that is non-negotiable”, assured the Barça coach this Saturday.
The Barça team has not managed to lift a title since they won the Copa del Rey in 2021, but it is still the team that has won the Super Cup the most times with 13 trophies.
The Barça reaches the final after a complicated semifinal won in the penalty shootout against Betis (4-2, after 2-2 in the match), although Xavi advanced that he will be able to count on all his players on Sunday at the King Fahd stadium in Riyadh.
The Real MadridHowever, will not have Lucas Vázquez availablewho was injured on Wednesday in the semifinal against Valencia, which the whites also won on penalties (4-3, after 1-1 in the match).
Current champion of the Super Cup, Real Madrid He arrives at the match with the aim of defending his crown and continuing to improve sensations, especially in defense.
“The main aspect that we consider is to defend better, there are things to improve,” said the Merengue coach, Carlo Ancelotti, at a press conference this Saturday.
stellar duels
In the match against Valencia he shone again Karim Benzemathat after his problems with injuries in the first part of the season It seems to be recovering its level.
“Benzema is back. This gives us a lot of confidence for the next matches.I see him very motivated, he trains well, he is a very important piece”, Ancelotti stated.
The Ballon d’Or 2022 and top scorer in the league last year will maintain a duel with the Polish Robert Lewandowskicurrently the best striker in the Spanish championship with 13 goals.
“I have returned from injury and I have done a good job to return to my level, touch the ball, assist. It is clear that I am back”, Benzema said this Saturday.
“I’m ready”, insisted the Real Madrid striker, for whom “we are going to have a difficult game, but we have to be ready to win”.
The spotlights will also focus on the goals after the great performances of the Real Madrid goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtoisand from Barcelona, Marc-André Ter Stegenin the semifinals.
The two excelled with saving saves and put their teams in the final with their saves in the penalty shootout. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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