Previews
SAT 12.08.2017
FC Barcelona start their quest for a record-extending 13th Spanish Super Cup when they host Real Madrid in the first leg of the traditional curtain-raiser to the season at 22:00 CET. It will be the second #ElClasico of the pre-season after Ernesto Valverde’s men secured a 3-2 triumph over their eternal rivals in Miami, Florida, at the end of last month. Barça, who compete as the Copa del Rey winners, are the holders of the Spanish Super Cup having beaten Sevilla FC 5-0 on aggregate in last year’s showdown.
Real Madrid, who feature as the LaLiga Santander champions, are looking for a 10th victory in the competition. They last played in a Spanish Super Cup in 2014 when they lost out to city rivals Atletico Madrid. Zinedine Zidane’s men arrive full of confidence having won the UEFA Super Cup against Manchester United during the week. Madrid are without midfield lynchpin Luka Modric, due to injury, but boosted with recent news of Zidane having agreed a three-year contract extension. His counterpart, Valverde, faces the task of filling the hole left the departure of Neymar to PSG.
The return leg is due to be played on Wednesday August 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
© LALIGA - 2017