FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2017 Spanish Super Cup
The first meeting between these arch-rivals takes place this August 13 in the Spanish Super Copa where both clubs will look to claim silverware.
Real Madrid: Los Blancos appear to have all the momentum right now after defending the UEFA Super against Manchester United which was the first trophy out of a possible six manager Zinedine Zidane has a chance to secure this campaign, a feat that has only been done by the 2009 Barcelona team managed by Pep Guardiola.
Zidane said in the pre-match press conference that Cristiano Ronaldo is fit for the match and would return to the squad’s starting XI. The manager will have to make more adjustments due to the absence of Luka Modric as he is serving a suspension for a red card he received three years ago in the last Spanish Super Cup against Atlético Madrid. It’s a safe bet to assume that Mateo Kovacic will get a chance to show that he is the heir to Modric and will replace him sooner rather than later. The last thing to watch for is who will make the XI between Gareth Bale and Isco. Isco had an incredible performance against Manchester United and his play could disrupt the ‘BBC’. It will be interesting to see how Zidane gets both players on the field this season.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema.
FC Barcelona:
This is the first true test for manager Ernesto Valverde and his squad. He still has the ‘MS’ of the ‘MSN’ after losing Neymar. The world class player had a brilliant relationship with Messi and Luis Suarez and combined for 364 goals in three seasons. Now Barca are scrambling to sign players with the Neymar money to replace him.
So far they’ve added Nélson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu but the midfield has been untouched and needs some upgrading. They’re currently trying to land Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and/or Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele to help stop the bleeding but have seen each transfer request rejected.
Valverde and his squad will want to get a result at the Camp Nou and refresh the confidence of the fanbase before heading to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg on August 16.
After a disappointing end to last season, losing Neymar, and currently not having success in the transfer market so far this summer, they’ll need to go out and show that they are still capable of being the Catalan giants everyone fears.
Barcelona Predicted XI: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Deulofeu, Messi, Suárez.
