[ad_1]
The 2023 Supercopa de Espana final takes place with an El Clasico duel in the desert tonight as Real Madrid take on Barcelona. The Saudi Arabian city of Riyadh hosts the culmination of the mini mid-season tournament between Spain’s top clubs.
Both teams reached the final with a big dose of drama as penalty shootouts were required. Thibaut Courtois was Los Blancos’ hero as they edged Valencia in their semi-final, after a 1-1 draw while Copa del Rey winners Real Betis refused to go down without a fight against Barcelona, eventually succumbing in the shootout after two equalisers over 120 minutes.
Not since 2017 has the Spanish Super Cup been contested between the Clasico rivals and Real have won their last two meetings in this final, and they won their LaLiga meeting earlier in the campaign. They will be out to catch Barcelona’s record of 13 Supercopa crowns, with just one title separating the sides in the all-time leaderboard. Follow El Clasico via Standard Sport’s live match blog!
Live updates
A big day for Alejandro Balde
The young left-back is chosen ahead of Jordi Alba to start for Barcelona… a changing of the guard, perhaps?
Carlo Ancelotti taking it game by game
Winning football matches, not trophies, the message from the effervescently calm Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the game.
The Real Madrid boss said: “We’re not thinking about winning every title.
“We’re simply focused on competing in every competition and in every game. Now we have to think about this match and this title that we’re playing for. We shouldn’t get carried away with more difficult things.
“We have to take it one step at a time and head into the closing stretch of the season in a good position.”
How Real Madrid reached the final
Just like Barcelona, a nervy penalty shootout did the business after 120 minutes against Valencia.
Go behind the scenes with Real Madrid
Earlier today in LaLiga
Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Almeria as Espanyol jumped out of the drop zone with a 2-1 victory over Getafe.
Three changes for Barcelona
Sergi Roberto drops to the bench after picking up a knock in the semi-final.
Andreas Christensen starts as Ronald Araujo moves to the right side of defence and Alejandro Balde replaces Jordi Alba on the left flank.
Raphinha, today linked with a move to Arsenal, is on the bench as Gavi moves into the attack and Sergio Busquets starts.
The Barcelona line-up is out!
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, Kounde, Balde; De Jong, Pedri, Busquets; Gavi, Lewandowski, Dembele.
Subs: Fati, Torres, Pena, Depay, Marcos Alonso, Alba, Kessie, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Garcia, Tenas.
How Barcelona booked their spot
A dramatic 2-2 draw with Real Betis led to a penalty shootout, which the Blaugrana won 4-2.
The stage is set!
King Fahd International Stadium has barely been half full for the semi-finals but hopefully the 68,000-capacity venue will be bouncing tonight.
The fans are gathering in Riyadh
These guys are certainly big fans of Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois!
[ad_2]
Source link