Riyadh (AFP)
Barcelona, the defending champion, reached the final of the Spanish Super Cup, beating Osasuna 2-0 at the “Awal Park” stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and set a date with Real Madrid in the “El Clásico”, in a repeat of last year’s final.
Barcelona’s goals were scored by Robert Lewandowski (59′) and substitute Lamine Yamal (93).
Real Madrid, which won the Spanish Cup last year and is the league leader this season, emerged victorious from the capital’s derby against its arch-neighbor Atlético 5-3 after extra time (3-3).
The “El Clásico” between the two rivals will be on Sunday, the 14th of this month, a replay of last year’s final, which ended with Barcelona defeating Real Madrid 3-1.
This victory was also an opportunity for Barcelona coach and former midfield maestro Xavi Hernandrez to inaugurate his first title with the Catalan club.
Barcelona holds the record for the number of Super Cup victories with 14 titles, ahead of Real Madrid (12), Athletic Bilbao and Deportivo La Coruna (3), and Atletico Madrid (2).
Despite qualifying for the Super Final for the second year in a row, Barcelona did not present a bright picture against Osasuna, the runner-up of the local cup, which is participating for the first time in this competition, as it struggles to achieve victories, most recently against Barbastro from the fourth division 3-2 in the cup.
Xavi decided to keep Portuguese striker Joao Felix on the bench, and include Brazilian Rafinha and veteran strikers Lewandowski (35 years old) and Ferran Torres.
Barcelona opened the scoring after a deep pass from Gundogan to the dangerous Lewandowski, who shot it into the net (59).
Torres and Sergi Roberto came out, and Felix and Pedri, who returned to the field after an absence of nearly a month due to injury, entered in their place (62).
Before the match referee blew the final whistle, Barcelona dealt a fatal blow to Osasuna, after an individual effort from Felix, who passed to Lamine Yamal inside the area, and he shot it with his left foot into the net in the third minute of stoppage time, which was the first goal for the 16-year-old player since last October. .
De Jong said to the Movistar channel after the end of the match, “It is true that it has been some time since we won by more than one goal, but that does not matter. It is about winning and playing well. We played a strong match, and we have to improve, and we are developing. It is a new team.” “Exactly this year with a lot of changes and you always need time to develop.”
He added, “You need time to adapt to your teammates, and we suffered a lot of injuries as well. There is a final match against Real Madrid, which is wonderful. Two teams at the highest level.”
2024-01-12 04:49:20
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