Going against history in the Spanish Super Cup final

Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final sees Barça take on Real Madrid in the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The game kicks off at 8pm CET and will be the first meeting in the final between the two giants of Spanish Football since the new four team format was introduced. 

Barça will be attempting to buck history in the showdown after losing seven of eight previous meetings against the club from Madrid in the competition. 

Nevertheless, the blaugranes have won the Spanish Super Cup on 13 occasions, more than any other club, and Sunday will see their 25th appearance in the final, another record. 

History

The first meeting between the two sides in the competition came in 1988 with Real Madrid coming out on top 3-2 on aggregate over two legs. More wins for Madrid came in 1990, 1993 and 1997. 

Into the 21st century we had to wait until 2011 for another Clásico in the Spanish Super Cup. A Barça side coached by Pep Guardiola gave the blaugranes what is up to now their only victory over their biggest rivals in the competition, winning 5-4 on aggregate over two legs. 

A year later Real Madrid had their revenge, winning on away goals after the two legs ended 4-4 on aggregate. The last time the sides met in the final was in 2017 with Real coming out 5-1 winners over two legs. 

Last meeting a year ago 

Xavi's first meeting with Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup as coach came last season with a semi-final defeat, Carlo Ancelotti's team winning 3-2 thanks to an extra time strike from Fede Valverde.