The King Fahd International Stadium in the capital, Riyadh, is gearing up to host one of football’s most spectacular rivalries as it hosts the El Clasico match between rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
Competition for the Spanish Super Cup began at the King Fahd International Stadium last Wednesday when Real Madrid beat Valencia 3/4 on penalties in the semi-final after the match ended in a 1/1 draw.
Then in the other semi-final match, Barcelona beat Real Betis 4/2 on penalties yesterday, Thursday, after the match ended in a 2/2 draw.
Real Madrid didn’t perform at their best against Valencia, but were able to overcome the hurdle to reach the final, one step away from winning the title and dusting off their loss to 1/2 Villarreal. last Saturday in the Spanish league.
Real Madrid currently compete in four competitions as, apart from the Spanish league, they prepare to face Villarreal next Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, and will resume his Champions League career next February when he visits Liverpool in 1/8 finals.
Although the Super Cup is not at the forefront of the four competitions, the current version has gained more importance due to the match against Barcelona in the final and Real Madrid’s desire to equal the numbers of their rivals, who top the list of teams most crowned with the Super Cup with 13 titles, and Real Madrid have won the title 12 times.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stressed the importance of achieving a positive result against Barcelona and winning the title.
Ancelotti said during a press conference for tomorrow’s match: “All titles are important for this club. They give confidence and help you carry on well and create a great atmosphere. We’re betting a lot in this match and we’ll try to win it.”
“We can define our feelings that titles are important. We are fighting for this moment to play in the final. The team is motivated and relaxed. I have players who are used to that kind of pressure and that’s the secret of our confidence. ” added Ancelotti.
Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona before this season, as they beat them 3-1 last October in the Spanish league tournaments, and therefore may have a moral advantage before tomorrow’s match, as Barcelona coach Xavi confirmed.
Xavi acknowledged Real Madrid’s psychological advantage, especially in light of their superior experience in the finals, but at the same time emphasized that Barcelona must show their ambition in tomorrow’s match.
Xavi said during a press conference: “I can expect a strong opponent in Real Madrid and they have a psychological advantage because of the superiority in experience in the final matches. But we have to show our ambition and desire to win the title.”
Barcelona are looking forward to tomorrow to avenge their last loss to Real Madrid and also return to the Super Cup podium for the first time since 2018, as they lost to Athletic Bilbao in the 2020 Super Cup Final. /season 2021.
Barcelona, which are three points ahead of Real Madrid in the Spanish league and also heading into the sixteenth round of the Copa del Rey, are looking to cement their lead in the list of teams most crowned with the Super Cup title.
