As it often proves, the Supercopa de Espana final will be played in between Clasico rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The bitter rivals have contested the last two finals – winning one each – and Madrid look to match Barcelona on 14 triumphs in the competition with victory on Sunday. Los Blancos are the current champions, but they have suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the Catalan giants in October which is likely to plague their minds.
Madrid conquered Mallorca and Barcelona sent from Athletic Club to reach the finals in Saudi Arabia, but both will expect tougher battles in the main competition as they seek silverware and bragging rights.
Here are four key duels that could prove decisive El Clasico.
For Ferland Mendy, the 2024/25 campaign. she was busy. The Frenchman has been underwhelming for most of his tenure and even lost his starting left-back spot at the end of last year. However, after being restored to the XI for two of Madrid’s three away games in the new year, he is expected to start again on Sunday.
Mendy performed admirably in the semi-final win over Mallorca, keeping a clean sheet and completing more passes than any of his teammates. It was a confidence-boosting display, but his ego could be bruised and battered by the end of the Super Cup final.
On Sunday night, he will take on the insatiable Lamine Yamala, a 17-year-old returning from injury during the last four win over Athletic Club. He scored on the hour-long return and looked as sharp as ever after a much-needed rest.
Mendy produced a shocking display in his last bout with Yamal, conceding four and looking consistently overworked in October. Keeping the relentless winger under control is an almighty challenge and one that Mendy must meet if Madrid are to lift the trophy in the Middle East.
There were only two minutes between Robert Lewandowski’s goals in Madrid’s defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in October. The Poland international proved too much for the Spanish champions on that occasion, with his movement and physicality causing havoc for Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.
With Militao out for the rest of the campaign and David Alaba yet to return from a lengthy layoff, defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni – recovering from a head injury – will be tasked with stifling Lewandowski on Sunday. The French international has played regularly as a central defender this term, but it is certainly not his favorite role.
Considering the damage Lewandowski caused in the league encounter, Carlo Ancelotti will need to offer extra motivation and leadership to Tchouameni on Sunday, who is likely to be a target for the experienced Barcelona striker.
Jude Bellingham endured an uncharacteristically sticky spell during the first few months of the current campaign but has since bounced back to life. Seven goals in nine games since the start of December tells the story of a formidable force rediscovering its fashion at a crucial moment in the season.
The Englishman has already announced himself in El Clasicodeciding both La Liga matches with stoppage time goals during his debut season, and La Bluagrana’s lack of defensive midfield was evident.
But this continuation of the fiercest European derby could be different. Marc Casado will be saddled with the responsibility of denying Bellingham any joy, something he did effectively in a 4-0 win earlier this term. Bursting into attacks and hovering on the ground, he impressively limited the space for threats in Madrid’s midfield.
Whether Casado can do the same against a reinvigorated Bellingham remains to be seen, but it will be a fascinating matchup of two young dynamos in the engine room.
Kylian Mbappe’s debut Clasico it was one he probably pushed to the back of his mind. Constantly offside and outwitted by Barcelona’s backline, Madrid’s number 9 endured a bad night from which he struggled to recover. At least until recently.
Mbappe began to find his stride in the closing weeks of 2024, scoring five times in December to silence those who had already written off the former Paris Saint-Germain superstar. That form has yet to carry over into the new year – he has been blanked in Madrid’s three games this term – but there is hope for Mbappe as he seeks revenge on Sunday.
17-year-old Pau Cubarsi, who did an excellent job of frustrating Mbappe on his Clasico bow, could be at the end of that force in Jeddah. The teenager has rarely looked intimidated on the grandest of stages and is now becoming increasingly familiar with what is expected in such huge matches.
Keeping Mbappe quiet is no easy feat and the Cubans will be hoping for another off day for the World Cup winner. He will need plenty of support from his centre-back partner Inigo Martinez, who has proven to be a perfect shot for Cubarsi for most of the season.
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