How FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have changed since the last Spanish Super Cup
For the third time in a row, the Spanish Super Cup is doubling as a Clásico. Saudi Arabia has been the venue each time, with Barça coming out tops in 2023, playing beautiful football to win 3-1, but the following year was a very different story, with Madrid performing much better on the day and winning 4-1.
Most changes are blaugrana
The Real Madrid squad is largely the same one that won that day. The main differences are the arrival of global superstar Kylian Mbappé in attack, while the biggest losses have been midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who retired last summer, and Dani Carvajal, who is out with a long-term injury.
But there is a very different look to FC Barcelona, starting on the bench, where Xavi Hernández has been replaced by Hansi Flick, a man searching for his first title at his new club.
Revamped defence
Iñaki Peña was played in goal last season, but after keeping two clean sheets in his first two games, Szczęsny is likely to start this one too. Kounde and Balde are still the two first-choice full backs, but of the two centre backs that started last year, Christensen is injured and Araujo is still re-adapting after a long absence of his own. The probable central duo on Sunday will be Cubarsí and Iñigo Martinez, whose lives have changed enormously in the last 12 months.
Cubarsí hadn't even made his debut at the time of lat year's final, while Iñigo was only getting the occasional game. But Flick seems to view the Basque as a natural starter.
Only Pedri in midfield
The midfield no longer includes Sergi Roberto or Gündoğan, while De Jong might have started last year but has no guarantee of doing so this time. Only Pedri would seem to be sure of repeating his place, probably joined by Casadó, who came to the Super Cup as an unused reserve last time round. The midfield will probably be completed by one of two players who didn't feature last time, Dani Olmo or Gavi.
The former has of course been cleared to play if selected, while the latter was one of the best players in the semi-final, scoring one goal and assisting the other. Two seasons ago, he doubled up similarly in the final against Madrid, but missed out in 2024 with a long-term injury.
More mature frontline
Up front, Lamine Yamal was a young promise a year ago, while he is now a young reality. Raphinha sat out last year's final after getting injured in the semi. but this year he's hit arguably the strongest form of his whole career. Alongside him, it would be a huge surprise if we didn't find Lewandowski, who scored the only goal last year and will be hoping to contribute further this time, but also for a more positive result.