We last saw both giants clash against each other in a two-legged encounter in the 2011 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. As expected, the battle did not lack of thrill and was nothing less than stimulating, but it surely did not leave its mark in the prettiest manner.
With the ensuing damages of the games creating a bigger barrier between the two Spanish titans, it could be a matter of retribution when Real Madrid and Barcelona face each other in the 2011 Supercopa. Before going further into the presented subject, let us take a brief look at the history of the championship – especially from the Blaugrana and Los Blancos’ prospects.
Spanish Supercopa Quick History – Barcelona and Real Madrid
Similarly to the English FA Community Shield, the Spanish Supercup is a two-legged championship contested by the champions of La Liga and the winners of the Copa del Rey. The first version of the annual challenge took place in 1940, under the name of the Copa de Campeones. It then got held off in the following years of the World War II, before going on again in 1945 – this time, under the name of the Copa de Oro Argentina for political reasons – when present participants Barcelona emerged victorious.
It was renamed on another occasion in 1947 to the Copa Eva Duarte, and a successful Catalan side was privileged with automatic triumphs in 1952 and 1953, having won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey – then known as the Copa del Generalísimo – in these respective seasons.
Real Madrid also had this advantage in 1989, and a 4-1 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of the 1990 edition saw them retain their title in what was the second Clasico pack in the Supercopa’s history. The Castellans repeated their achievement against their arch-rivals in 1993 and 1997, but have surprisingly not been as impressive in the last six years.
Madrid have only managed to earn a single Supercup trophy, while Barcelona have snatched four. All in all, it is Los Cules who have the upper hand, and below are a few facts that prove it:
Copa Eva Duarte
Barcelona Cups: 4 (1945, 1948, 1952, 1953)
Real Madrid Cups: 1 (1947)
Spanish Supercopa
Barcelona Cups: 9 (1983, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Real Madrid: 8 (1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2008)
El Clasico in the Supercopa
1988: Real Madrid won 2-0 in the first leg, and escaped with the trophy despite losing 2-1 at the Camp Nou afterward.
1990: Real Madrid lost 1-0 in the first leg, but made a 4-1 comeback in the second leg at the Bernabeu to enjoy a third consecutive year as champions.
1993: A 3-1 victory in Madrid was enough for the home side to beat Barcelona again, regardless of a subsequent 1-1 away draw.
1997: A 2-1 triumph at the Camp Nou first gave Barcelona the advantage; however, a 4-1 defeat at the Bernabeu gave Real Madrid the cup.
Upcoming Clasicos in the Supercopa
Dates: 14 August and 17 August 2011
Locations: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid) and Estadio Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Additional Info: This will mark the fifth and sixth Clasico match-ups this year.
Reasons For Real Madrid To Win
Firstly, maintaining their good record against Barcelona in the Supercopa history simply is a must. From a deeper point of view though, it is more the psychological effects that winning will have, which makes the entire championship even more significant for Los Blancos.
Having missed on their chances in La Liga and the Champions League last season, the Madridistas could only be content with the Copa del Rey trophy. In no way is this title meaningless; yet, it is undeniable that it is the least precious among the three honours forming the treble dream of top Spanish clubs.
Still, in Real’s case, there is so much they benefited from the single cup they got, since it was arguably the world’s most powerful club that they defeated in the final of the competition to break their goalless curse. Not to mention, it was also their first trophy this year.
They were unfortunately not able to go through their obstacles in the Champions League and humble Barca on another occasion; but even though they failed to show unbreakable consistency through their semi-final disqualification on the European stage, it is indubitable that Madrid have warmed up their cold spirit and are ready to taste once again the feeling of being winners of a contest.
Overwhelming results at the end of last season, merged with promising statements from some of the club’s top personalities, showed how willing Los Merengues were and still are to take down their greatest enemies and take their position at the very top. Surely, they have not forgotten – and apparently not forgiven – the deeds and attitudes of Barcelona during the Clasico series earlier this year.
It would eventually make sense for the Copa del Rey defending champions to plan a good revenge that will condense their repugnance, and perhaps, act as a fearful preview of the dangerous switching of power that could happen in the imminent term.
After three strange years without seeing Real at their peak, there is a need to expect something extraordinary from the Galacticos. Having the manager and players required to dominate world football, it would be understandable to anticipate an imposing comeback from Jose Mourinho’s boys next season.
There still are a few bridges for them to cross before achieving their goal, and the first step in their undertaking is definitely the upcoming Supercopa de España; which will determine how prepared and fierce they are to rise above all their challengers, including Barcelona.
Latest transfer: Fabio Coentrao from Benfica
Reasons For Barcelona To Win
Looking at the progress and hunger of Real Madrid, it is noticeable that La Liga runners-up are poised to do anything it takes to get back the pride they have lost, and Barcelona are well aware of that. Already, the Blaugrana narrowly lost the Copa del Rey title after conceding a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in extra time; they are obviously not eager to watch their rivals grab another title that is just inches away from them.
Also for psychological reasons, the defending Spanish Supercup champions would want to keep Los Blancos under their control, so as to ease their tough challenges awaiting them in the next season. Furthermore, they have yet to defeat Madrid on aggregate in the championship, and this is a poor historical record that the Azulgranas would not want to see continue.
Latest Transfer: Alexis Sanchez from Udinese
A Bonus Or Obstacle For Lionel Messi?
As always, Barca would be partly looking on their No.10 attacker to break down the opposing defence and get the needed end product. It usually is a pleasure for Lionel Messi to live up to his club’s expectations, but it might be a different case this time after Argentina failed to excel in last month's Copa America tournament.
Messi was initially expected to power La Albiceleste out of Group A with authority, in direction of the ultimate continental trophy. His first game in the competition against Bolivia sadly failed to exhibit his rare skills, while he was unimpressive in his country’s 0-0 draw with Colombia.
He showed great signs of improvement in his following encounters, but his contributions just weren't enough to turn the Argentines' dream into reality. Whereas many blamed the ‘unsuitability’ of Coach Batista, many refused to accept excuses and preferred to pounce on the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner himself.
Somehow, Messi has not yet found the key to duplicating his displays for Barcelona at international level. Whatever the reasons behind this dilemma may be, one could welcome the idea that watching the 24-year-old dazzle under his club’s jersey again might even inflict an annoying feeling into the hearts of football lovers back in Argentina.
Will the ended South American tournament have any impact on Messi’s psychology against Real Madrid? Perhaps not...
Perchance, he could subconsciously give in to self-restrictions – making him also lose his form for Barcelona. Conversely, a forgettable Copa America run followed by a mesmerizing performance against Real Madrid in the Supercopa would simply cause locals in Argentina to doubt his loyalty to the national flag.
