This Sunday, Real Madrid and Barcelona will compete for the Supercopa de España, the first title of 2025. The match, set to take place at the King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia, promises to be a spectacle with both teams bringing star-studded lineups and arriving at the final with strong form. 

A Highly Anticipated Showdown

Beyond the trophy, the outcome of this match will provide a crucial mental boost to whichever team emerges victorious. The influence of this result will ripple through the rest of the season, as both teams are still vying for supremacy in LaLiga, the Champions League, and other competitions. The final also guarantees the presence of key players, including Dani Olmo, who has been re-registered for Barcelona following a decision from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), and Pau Víctor.

For Real Madrid, the match comes at a time of high confidence. The team leads LaLiga after the winter break, and their attack is firing on all cylinders, scoring an average of three goals per match over their last eight games. Jude Bellingham, with nine goals in ten appearances, and Kylian Mbappé, who has recently hit his stride, are key figures. However, Vinícius Júnior will once again face scrutiny after his suspension in LaLiga following his red card against Valencia.

The Battle for Supremacy

On the other hand, Barcelona is determined to end its trophy drought, which stretches back to their 2023 LaLiga title. The Supercopa represents an opportunity for Xabi Flick to inspire his team with a psychological boost, something that has been key for Barcelona in previous years. Just two years ago, Barcelona won the title, followed by a LaLiga triumph, and last season, Real Madrid lifted the Champions League after a remarkable performance by Vinícius in the final.

Barcelona is also looking strong, with most of their key players available, including Olmo, who could make a difference in the attack. Flick has been impressed by Olmo's performances, including his goal against Athletic Bilbao, and may start him over Gavi. There is also the question of who will start in goal: Wojciech Szczesny or Iñaki Peña, who was benched in the semifinal for arriving late to training.

Tactical Approaches and Key Players

For Flick, the focus will be on maintaining a high-pressing game with quick transitions, relying on the form of Raphinha and the creativity of Lamine Yamal. The backline will likely consist of Koundé, Cubarsí, and Iñigo Martínez, with Ronald Araújo on the bench amid rumors about his future at the club. As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti faces a tactical dilemma between Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric for midfield duties, but the team is well-prepared to compete for another trophy.

A Final to Remember

The Supercopa de España has become a fixture in Saudi Arabia, and the King Abdullah Stadium will be packed to its 62,000 capacity. The crowd is expected to be split, but judging by the semifinal performances, Real Madrid fans are likely to dominate the stands. The match will also see the new rule in effect—no extra time, with penalty kicks used to determine the winner in case of a draw after 90 minutes.

Final Thoughts

If Real Madrid wins, they will equal Barcelona with fourteen titles in the competition and add another major trophy to their recent haul of Supercopa de Europa and Copa Intercontinental titles. The final promises to be an intense clash of titans, with both teams aiming to set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Probable Lineups: Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, and Mbappé.

Barcelona: Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; and Lewandowski.

Referee: Gil Manzano (Comité Extremeño)
Stadium: King Abdullah Stadium, Yeda.