Real Madrid and Barcelona Clash in Supercopa Final in Jeddah

Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off in the 2024 Supercopa de España final on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The highly anticipated match, often referred to as ‘El Clásico,’ will take place at 8:00 PM local time, with both teams vying for the prestigious trophy after defeating Athletic Bilbao and Mallorca, respectively, in the semifinals.

Barcelona enters the final with a nearly full-strength squad, including the return of young star Lamine Yamal, who played for an hour against Bilbao after a month-long absence. Yamal is expected to join Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the attack, supported by Gavi in a 4-2-3-1 formation under coach Hansi Flick. The midfield will likely feature Casado and Pedri, while the defense includes Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, and Alejandro Baldé. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who impressed in the semifinal, will start in place of the injured Marc-André ter Stegen.

On the other side, Real Madrid will rely on their star-studded lineup, including the attacking trio of Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, with Rodrygo on the right wing. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to deploy a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde anchoring the midfield. In defense, Aurélien Tchouaméni will partner with Antonio Rüdiger in the absence of Éder Militão, while Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy will cover the flanks. Thibaut Courtois, in excellent form, will guard the goal.

The match marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two Spanish giants, with both teams eager to claim the first major trophy of the year. The Supercopa final is being held in Saudi Arabia for the fifth consecutive year as part of a multi-year agreement to promote football in the region.

Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the clash, which will be broadcast live on L’Équipe’s channel, with commentary by Laurent Maltret. The match is expected to draw millions of viewers, underscoring the global appeal of one of football’s most iconic rivalries.