Strength in depth is to be the deciding factor when Barcelona lock horns with eternal rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening. Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos go into the game less than 72 hours after they overcame Atletico Madrid 5-3 in a gruelling 120 minute face-off while Xavi Hernandez’s Blaugrana squad is down to it’s bare bones after suffering a succession of injuries.
Brazilian winger Raphinha is the latest star to join Barca’s long list of injuries after he limped of in their 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Thursday. Xavi is already without Liga Santander player of the season Marc Andre Ter Stegen, midfield dynamo Pablo Martin Gavira ‘Gavi’, Marcos Alonso, Inigo Martinez and Joao Cancelo as he seeks a tonic to growing discomfort within the Camp Nou hierarchy over the club’s inconsistent form.
Pedro Gonzalez ‘Pedri’, who was so impressive in dismantling Real Madrid in last year’s final, made a fleeting appearance against Osasuna and helped create fellow substitute Lamine Yamal’s goal late on but he’s still not fit enough to operate for 90 minutes. Joao Felix could start alongside lead striker Robert Lewandowski ahead of Ferran Torres as he twisted Osasuna inside out during his 30 minute cameo.
Ancelotti’s super subs Joselu Mato and Brahim Diaz were the two man destruction crew that subdued Atletico Madrid in extra time, providing the Italian gaffer with a welcome selection headache. However, given how much Barcelona dominated midfield during Real’s 2-1 victory in Liga Santander last October, it’s hard to see Carletto abandoning the 4-4-2 formation which has top scorer Jude Bellingham operating at the top of a diamond behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.
On loan custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal as cover for injured first choice Thibaut Courtois while Ancelotti must keep the central defensive partnership of Antonio Rudiger and Nacho because Eder Militao and David Alaba are out for months. Veteran playmaker Luka Modric, 37, is likely to drop to the bench in favour of Edouardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos or both.
