Barcelona produced a surprising efficiency on Sunday to clinch the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, dominating the historic rivals Real Madrid 3-1 to safe their first trophy for the reason that appointment of coach Xavi Hernandez and the submit Messi period.
Inspired by teenager Gavi, who scored himself and arrange targets for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri Gonzalez, the Catalans produced one among their greatest performances in years towards their bitter Clasico rivals.
Having loved nice success as a participant at Barca, Xavi returned in November 2021. After a summer season of heavy spending, this emphatic victory is an indication his undertaking is shifting in the appropriate course.
Karim Benzema netted a late comfort for Madrid, who’ve been removed from their greatest for the reason that World Cup break and likewise fell three factors behind Barcelona in La Liga final weekend.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a remaining since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned final season to Barcelona, who’ve now gained the Super Cup a report 14 instances.
“We knew it was a chance we had to take, we have lived through an era of changes at the club and in the dressing room, and this will reinforce us to keep fighting for more titles,” Barca captain Sergio Busquets instructed Movistar.
“You understand how (Gavi) competes; he is very younger – most gamers at his age could be within the youth crew – and he is taking part in at an unimaginable stage, giving assists, getting targets.
“He has a bright future ahead of him and a lot of room to improve. I hope he’s a player who marks an era at Barca.”
Xavi crucially deployed 4 central midfielders, with 18-year-old Gavi drifting inside off a nominal beginning place on the left and incessantly giving Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal the slip.
Toni Kroos performed as Madrid’s deepest midfielder with Aurelien Tchouameni out injured, and he was overrun.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made an excellent early save to disclaim Lewandowski, tipping his low drive towards the submit, whereas Benzema headed narrowly off-target.
Barcelona broke the impasse when Busquets pressed properly after a unfastened Antonio Rudiger cross, resulting in Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted house confidently.
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele have been additionally concerned in an change of slick passes earlier than Lewandowski teed up Gavi, whose intelligent run went untracked.
Gavi turned supplier for the second, operating onto De Jong’s cross and sliding the ball throughout for Lewandowski to complete clinically.
The Catalans’ dominance introduced again reminiscences of their 4-0 win over Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu final season, which had been the spotlight of Xavi’s time in cost till now.
Real ‘weaknesses’
Gavi, who gained the Golden Boy award in 2022, was the sport’s excellent performer and confirmed Barcelona is in good palms now and for years to come back.
Madrid’s younger star Vinicius Junior was shackled by Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan taking part in at right-back to straight subdue the Brazilian’s menace.
Courtois denied Dembele after an excellent Alejandro Balde run, and the overworked Belgian stopper saved Madrid’s slim hopes alive.
By distinction, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen went untested till the seventieth minute, when he collected a long-distance Kroos effort, by when his facet had netted their third.
Lewandowski launched Gavi, who crossed for Pedri to faucet house on the again submit as Barcelona romped to a convincing victory.
Pedri, 20, additionally gained the Golden Boy award in 2021 and is one other emblem of the maturing younger expertise at Xavi’s disposal.
The solely blot on Barcelona’s copybook was a late Benzema strike, ending after his first effort was blocked.
“We have to learn, it’s a difficult moment, and that’s it,” Ancelotti instructed Movistar.
“We do not must do an excessive amount of. We knew earlier than the sport the crew wasn’t at its highest.
“The game exposed some weaknesses; it’s a blow; we have to recover and prepare for the next game.”
The most vital blow for Madrid could show to be the morale enhance the victory is for his or her rivals.
Although Xavi will finally be judged on his efficiency in main competitions – and Barcelona has already been eradicated from this season’s Champions League – he’ll take coronary heart from this victory.
