Barcelona set to play Real Madrid in Super Cup Clásico

On Wednesday, January 12^th, 2022 the new and recently improved Barcelona football club will face off against the number – 1 football club in the LaLiga Spanish League at the moment, Real Madrid.

The previous meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Barca was dealing with a major financial crisis that they have been trying to fight their way through over the last year or so.

Barcelona was also attempting to cope with the departure of the legendary forward in Lionel Messi who transferred over to the Paris Saint – Germain football club.

Also at that time, Ronald Koeman was still managing Barca, and they struggled all over the place both on and off the pitch. Barcelona ultimately lost their previous match versus the mighty Real Madrid with a final tally of 2 to 1 at Camp Nou Stadium during their Spanish LaLiga League battle in October of 2021.

Things are definitely different these days as the bitter rivals enter their 2^nd – “clásico” of the current season in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals which will have to unfortunately be played in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday due to concerns regarding the COVID – 19 pandemic.

Barcelona appears to be heading in the right direction following the restructuring of their financial standing, and lately they have been demonstrating some signs of improvement on the pitch under their new manager in Xavi Hernández. A win on Wednesday in the Super Cup could possibly result in a dramatic turning point for Barcelona.

Barcelona does indeed have the luxury right now of welcoming several players back from injury. These are players who were unavailable for that Spanish LaLiga League game vs. Real Madrid last October. Talented players such as Barcelona’s young midfielder, Pedri González.

Barca also added some new spectacular footballers to their squad who could make a difference this week against Real Madrid, including veteran Brazil defender Dani Alves as well as the young Spanish striker, Ferran Torres.

Torres and Pedri recently tested positive for the coronavirus, however they have been cleared as of Monday, January 10^th, 2021 in order to travel to Saudi Arabia to rejoin the beloved football club of Barcelona.

Barcelona has tied 2 of their past 3 – matches in the competition whereas Real Madrid has ended up winning 2 of their last 3 – matches.

Media Statements

“It’s a different scenario now,” says the Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué. “We were going through a tough moment at that time. We are doing better now and we hope to take advantage of it. In the situation we are in, each victory, and hopefully the title, would mean a big boost for us. It would give us more confidence and would be important going forward.”

“We have to continue with the rebuilding process,” Barcelona’s manager Xavi Hernández explained. “Tomorrow will be a good test to know where we are.”

“There may be a big difference in the standings right now but these games are always even,” the head coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, stated.

“It makes no sense to go to Saudi Arabia to play our tournament,” the veteran midfielder of Athletic Bilbao, Raúl García, emotionally expressed. “We are not thinking about the fans anymore.”

Sources:

Azzoni, Tales. “Improved Barcelona takes on Real Madrid in Super Cup clásico”. The Associated Press. January 11, 2022.