Barcelona is at an all-time high. These two football giants have a storied history of intense rivalry, and this final promises to be a clash for the ages.
Both teams have had exceptional seasons leading up to this moment. Real Madrid, under the guidance of their esteemed coach, has showcased their trademark attacking style of play. Led by their talismanic captain, they have dominated La Liga with their fluid passing and clinical finishing. On the other hand, Barcelona has undergone a resurgence under their new manager. Their possession-based game has mesmerized opponents throughout the season.
Madrid booked their place in the Supercopa de Espana final with a thrilling 5-3 win over city rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Substitutes Joselu and Brahim Díaz scored in the second half of extra time to seal their team's win in the semi-final.
Lamine Yamal helped them to secure a 2-0 win.
It's the first time since 2020 -- when the Supercopa was expanded and moved to Saudi Arabia -- that the final will fulfil the tournament's original goal of pitting the reigning LaLiga champions, Barcelona, against last season's Copa del Rey winners, Real Madrid.
It's also a repeat of last year's Supercopa final, when a one-sided Clásico contest ended in a 3-1 Barca win, setting them up for a triumphant second half of the season, which ended with the league title.
Madrid haven't lost since September. This is a well-balanced team that looks dangerous in attack, and -- despite the evidence to the contrary in the three goals conceded against Atleti -- is generally solid in defence, conceding 11 goals in 19 LaLiga games this season.
Antonio Rüdiger, is in the best form of his time at Madrid. Carvajal was the semifinal's MVP. Federico Valverde is having a quietly exceptional season in a more withdrawn midfield role. Then there's the goal threat and big-game personality of Bellingham.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Kepa, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Tchouameni, Kroos, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo.
Barcelona predicted XI: Peña, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, Gundogan, Roberto, De Jong, Raphinha, Torres, Lewandowski.
Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius need to keep building their chemistry and it will be important for Real Madrid to create quality chances, as Barcelona could try to control the tempo of the game.
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