Madrid: As the Spanish Super Cup returns to Saudi Arabia, defending champions Real Madrid and Valencia look to get back on track and Barcelona and Real Betis hope to keep the momentum going.
The first semi-final game on Wednesday features Madrid and Valencia, both teams suffering losses in the Spanish league over the weekend. Madrid are three points behind league leaders Barcelona after a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal. Valencia lost 1–0 at home to Cadiz – their second consecutive league defeat – and are four points from the relegation zone.
Barcelona and Betis meet on Thursday after victories back home. Barcelona bounced back from a string of recent poor results with a tight 1-0 win at Atlético Madrid, while Betis continued their good start to the year with a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano to stay in a Champions League spot.
The final is on Sunday at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.
It is the fourth edition of the modified Super Cup, played only between the Spanish league champion and the Copa del Rey winner. Now the runners-up in both competitions also participate, making up the Final Four tournament. Madrid won the league last season ahead of Barcelona, while Betis won the cup final against Valencia.
Madrid won the new Super Cup in 2020 and 2022. Athletic Bilbao won in 2021, when the tournament was played back in Spain due to the coronavirus pandemic.
highLight
Barcelona coach Xavi will be able to rely on Robert Lewandowski again after the striker missed the league game against Atletico.
The contract to play in Saudi Arabia was extended till 2024–25.
Real Madrid will be without defender David Alaba and midfielder Aurelien Tchoumenyi due to injuries. The regular starters did not travel to Saudi Arabia with the rest of the squad. Dani Carvajal, who was recently sidelined with a hamstring problem, will be available for coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Barcelona coach Xavi will be able to rely on Robert Lewandowski again after the striker missed the league game against Atletico while serving an earlier three-match suspension. However, he is allowed to play in the Super Cup and is set to start against Betis.
Betis entered the Super Cup on the back of consecutive wins to start the year. The results left the Seville club in fourth place in the Spanish league and secured a spot in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
“It was important to win before the Super Cup,” said Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini. “We’ll go in with a lot of confidence.”
The team, coached by Gennaro Gattuso and led by veteran forward Edinson Cavani, arrived in Saudi Arabia having won only one of their last eight league games.
Gattuso said, “We are going through a difficult period and I am responsible for it first of all because I am the coach.” “We have to keep working hard, that’s the only way.”