After losing to their Catalan rivals 4-0 earlier this season, Real Madrid now focuses on Super Cup revenge this Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This October loss is still fresh in the memory of Los Blancos, although today the team is performing well enough.
On a Saturday press conference, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked to look at what happened in the first game because they trounced Real Madrid. His death seems to have a businesslike undertone in his words especially when he begins to dissect the coming battle.
The Italian tactician emphasized the unique pressure that comes with this particular matchup: ‘A Clasico is always a Clasico, but a final puts a bit more pressure on you.’ This statement serves to put into perspective what’s at stake in this Sunday’s clash which is not just another contest between two Spanish titans.
This was achieved despite the tackling weeds of muscle discomfort during the team’s commanding 3-0 semi-final victory over Mallorca, good news for Real Madrid is that talented midfielder Jude Bellingham ‘cleared’ to play. “He is okay, he has come back well,” confirmed Ancelotti, on the English sensation who has been so vital to Real’s La Liga matters whether as a scorer or creator.
To Ancelotti, the Super Cup is not an inconsequential trophy, he has observed interesting trends with his team. I think we should have considered performance during those years when we have failed to lay our hands on this trophy.”
It is one which gives far more incentive he noted: the association of the Super Cup and Champions League dominance during his time.
Currently, on a run of five consecutive victories and effectively top of La Liga, Real Madrid could hardly look like more favourites to defend their Super Cup.
However, Ancelotti remains pragmatic about facing their historic rivals: Barcelona are a traditional foe and the games that teams play are always very exciting. Again, it is a dilemma for us and for them. That means that the outcome of the match cannot be predetermined.
The match was not just another shot at a trophy to Real Madrid let alone an opportunity to show that the team has improved from their previous loss to Barcelona.
Both the teams will be at their full strength, and the stakes are high – the highly coveted Super Cup of Spanish football implies that this Clasico final will not be one to miss.
