Confirmed Barcelona team against Real Madrid in the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final

The truth is that Barcelona arrives at the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid quite beleaguered. Xavi Hernández has yet to find the formula to get his players to string together two or three good matches consistently. The team continues to display a very alarming irregularity, with some players far from their best form, making the much-anticipated excellence seem more elusive than ever.

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Underdogs Barcelona target Clásico turnaround

With this relatively bleak outlook, the Catalans heads into the Clásico in Riyadh. While it’s true that the numbers still support Xavi’s project - having lost only four matches this season - it’s just as true that the team has not been able to convincingly close out a match or satisfy its supporters, who have been accustomed to suffering since the start of the season.

However, within the team and staff, there’s a sense of clinging to a last hope for this Sunday’s match. They are hopeful it will serve as a turning point, much like it did a year ago. Back then, the team arrived at the final with many doubts and uncertainties, but managed to redeem themselves, delivering the best performance of the Xavi era by crushing Real Madrid with a decisive 3-1 victory and taking the Super Cup back to Barcelona.

In that memorable final - you can relive it here - Xavi fielded a spectacular starting eleven: Ter Stegen as goalkeeper, a four-man defense composed of Araújo, Koundé, Christensen, and Balde; with Sergio Busquets as the team’s pivot and anchor, flanked by Frenkie and Pedri, while in attack, Lewandowski led the line, supported by Dembélé and Gavi.

For this Sunday’s match, Xavi is without four players from that lineup. And these are not just any players; we’re talking about key figures: Ter Stegen, Sergio Busquets, Dembélé, and Gavi. However, seven of those players are available to play again, interestingly fielding the same defense: Araújo, Koundé, Christensen, and Balde. The only drawback is that Balde is not performing at the same level as he did last season.

Barcelona issues at both ends

Clearly, Ter Stegen’s absence is a significant concern for Xavi, as while Iñaki Peña is a more than capable goalkeeper, he lacks the resources and experience of the German in high-stakes matches. Gavi missing is also a serious handicap for Barcelona, as he embodies the team’s spirit. In his place, Joao Félix, a player of pure talent but without Gavi’s tenacity, is expected to step in. Meanwhile, in the pivot role, Oriol Romeu’s disappointing performance has led the coaches to move Frenkie back. A notable change from last year’s lineup is the inclusion of Gündogan. The German international is poised to play a significant role in this match, especially considering his goal in the last game against Los Blancos, despite it not being enough to avert defeat. Club captain Sergi Roberto will offer experience and industry, as well as a goal threat from deep, while Pedri will start from a position off the left, but will drift inside to help out in the engine room. The youngster is expected to make a significant impact, even though he is just returning from a muscle injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.

The attack is where there are more uncertainties. Lewandowski starts as the central striker, reprising his role from the last Super Cup final, while Ferran takes Dembélé's place on the right wing, following Raphinha’s injury confirmation. Ousmane’s dynamic and electrifying play is quite different from Ferran’s style. Pedri and Gündogan will be tasked with supporting the front two from the left of midfield.

Xavi’s starting XI in El Clásico

Iñaki Peña; Araújo, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Sergi Roberto, Gündogan, De Jong, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Lewandowski.

Regardless of the lineup, it seems clear that the team fielded by Barcelona in the upcoming Clásico on Sunday is considerably less formidable than the one that dazzled in Riyadh a year ago. This situation further escalates Xavi’s challenge, especially considering that Real Madrid arrive in top physical and mental form following their impressive performance against Atlético in the semifinal.

You’ll be able to follow all the action live from the Spanish Super Cup final with us at AS USA.