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11 months ago
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The Spanish Super Cup harbours special memories for Barcelona. Last season, marked the start of a special run for the Catalan club, one which started with the Spanish Super Cup title triumph by beating Real Madrid and ended with the La Liga title.
Once again this term, the men in garnet-and-blue are in dire need of inspiration. Recent games have shown tangible improvement from the horrors of December, but the fact remains that Barcelona are far from the side they should be with the players in their squad.
Tomorrow’s clash against Real Madrid in the final provides the team with that very chance. A win on the night would lift the dressing room’s spirits to no end and could practically change the course of the season for Xavi’s squad. A loss, however, will bring them back to square one.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
Eyes at the B.A.C.K.
A lot has changed from last season’s Supercopa de Espana Clasico. Barcelona won on the night, picking up the silverware and turning their season around but several members of the team’s core are no longer around.
Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Ousmane Dembele are no longer at the club while Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are out through injury. Xavi does have the resources to cover for the missing stars, but there is a fundamental difference between the squad from last season.
The previous edition of the Spanish Super Cup saw a version of Barcelona that boasted of confidence. One that was riding relatively high on results and defensive stability.
This time around, the manager has the same combination of four at the back that won him the title a year ago. Yet, the team’s defensive record this season is horrendous when compared to last season.
Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde have all seen significant dips in form this term, and the end result is a defence that has been leaking goals for fun. A big part of Barcelona’s result on Sunday night will boil down to the defensive factor.
Real Madrid boast of one of world football’s most incisive attacking departments that is capable of tearing through even Europe’s elite on demand. Xavi has shown to have the tactical acumen required to neutralise the Merengues’ forces in recent years, but doing so with the defence in shambles will not be an easy task.
Xavi’s selection dilemma
Xavi has key selection decisions to make. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)Barcelona head into the clash on Sunday with no dearth of uncertainties around the squad or the manager’s selection. The backline may be sorted, but there is no end to the dilemmas Xavi faces in midfield and the final third.
Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong are undisputed starters for the final against the Merengues. The third place in midfield, however, remains under doubt.
Xavi confirmed after the semifinal that Pedri was fit to start the final against Real Madrid come Sunday. Yet, one cannot help but understand the manager’s decision if he opts to start the Spaniard on the bench. After all, Pedri has just returned from injury and has not had a good fitness spell this season.
Fermin Lopez thus becomes a prime candidate to start. The youngster has shown time and time again that he has a fearless shot in him, but the sheer magnitude of the occasion could coerce Xavi to turn to the more experienced Sergi Roberto. Three candidates, one place.
The question on the left wing is equally challenging. Both Joao Felix and Ferran Torres have proven their worth in recent games, with the semifinal witnessing the best of both players.
The Spanish forward brings more to the collective and a direct threat on goal. Felix, meanwhile, provides a lurking presence in the opposition box that only unsettles their dynamic. Who will Xavi prefer on the left wing for the final?
Yamal’s moment to shine?
Raphinha’s injury against Osasuna scripted Lamine Yamal’s entry onto the field just before half-time. Over the next 50 minutes, the La Masia starlet reminded the world of why he is rightly considered one of football’s brightest talents.
The youngster was a constant threat down the right flank, both in combination play as well as a lone presence. He led Barcelona’s counters, undid the Pamplona-based side’s defence and did not hesitate to thread the ball through the gaps with sumptuous passes.
In the end, he was aptly rewarded with the second goal on the night with a finish that was by no means easy.
His stellar cameo has made him a prime candidate to start down Barcelona’s right flank, although recent reports have brought to light the possibility of Torres starting on the right.
If Yamal does get the nod, Barcelona would very likely see him to be the game-changer in attack. As the most in-form attacker in Blaugrana colours, he would be tasked with dominating Ferland Mendy and creating chances from the wing.
The teenager is a special talent, and one made for the biggest of stages. Tomorrow’s clash could well mark the coming of Lamine Yamal at the highest level, be it as a starter or a presence off the bench.
