Barcelona last participated in the annual contest in 2009, when they narrowly edged past then-Europa League winners Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 in extra time thanks to a Pedro goal. For FC Porto, one will have to go back in 2003 to recall their last appearance, which saw them lose by a goal to nil to then-Champions League title holders AC Milan.
Barca obtained their Super Cup tickets after defeating Manchester United 3-1 at the Wembley Stadium on28 May 2011, while the Dragons turned into their opponents subsequent to their 1-0 triumph in last season’s all-Portuguese Europa League final against Sporting Braga on May 18.
Certainly, the teams have enough weapons to hurt each othe. But somehow, it is Porto who appear to have the less advantage.
Obviously, having taken a new appearance and having transformed into an extremely dangerous force lately, there is no denying that they could stun any team in soccer at this point. Nevertheless, their weakness emerges through their weakened line-up. Whereas Barcelona still possess the strongest of sides, Porto are forced to do with the absence of potent personalities, who had key roles in the club’s success over the last term:
Radamel Falcao
The Colombian forward was truly an inspiration to Porto in their recent Europa League campaign. With 17 goals in 1098 minutes of football - including the winner in the final against Braga - Falcao topped the list of goalscorers, 6 goals ahead of Villarreal’s Giussepe Rossi. He became Porto’s most expensive outgoing transfer in history soon after, when he joined Spanish club Atletico Madrid for a fee exceeding €40 million.
Ruben Micael
The Portuguese midfielder visibly was not a player with a huge role at the club, but he still made impact when it mattered. He had no distinctive achievement in the domestic league or the Europa League, watching his team clinch continental glory from the bench. He also left the Portistas for Atletico Madrid in August.
André Villas-Boas
He is perhaps at the source of the most important change in the Porto team this season. Joining the Blues and Whites on 2 June 2010, only to win his first title about a month after, Villas-Boas was quick to exhibit his special coaching abilities to the world. Giving the club a new style and a great boost of confidence, the manager became the youngest boss to ever carry a European trophy, and the third youngest to win the Primeira Liga. But despite winning a memorable treble with FC Porto, Villas-Boas resigned on June 21 this year, and immediately landed in England to lead Chelsea FC.
FC Porto Team News
With Villas-Boas keen to bring left-back Alvaro Pereira at the Stamford Bridge, new Porto manager Vitor Pereira has opted to leave the defender from his squad ahead of the Super Cup against FC Barcelona. So as to fill up the space created by both his absence and Joao Moutinho’s - midfielders Cristian Rodriguez and Steven Defour have been called in.
New signing Klebler is also set to perform as Falcao’s replacement. He is expected to partner in front with Hulk and effective winger Sylvestre Varela.
Hulk
The Brazilian right winger is presently one of the deadliest attackers in the game. Being able to assist and score at the same time with both feet, fear strikes opposing defenders any time he switches position on the field.
The aggressive winger finished his league run last season as the top scorer with 23 goals, and he was renowned for his impressive partnership with former teammate Falcao. He added his name to the scoring sheet through an amazing strike last week on 50 minutes to seal FC Porto’s 3-1 victory over Gil Vicente.
FC Barcelona Team News
The Catalan champions will have to do with the absence of centre backs Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Ibrahim Afellay. Fortunately for them, options are still available with the eligibility of Busquets, Mascherano, Fontas and Abidal to play in that position. Second choice keeper Pinto will also miss the UEFA Super Cup due to suspension, while both signings Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas could have a feel of the game depending on Coach Guardiola’s choice.
David Villa
As a scorer in the 2011 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United and also in the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid, one has reasons to believe that the striker is back in form. At least, it is understandable that he performs well enough to leave his mark in tough moments, and this is enough to create concerns for the Porto defence.
Lionel Messi
Also a goalscorer in last season’s Champions League final, Messi has all it takes to trouble any team’s back zone. The expert dribbler and attacker did not have the best of campaigns in the Copa America, but he quickly re-established his positive picture in club football through an amazing contribution to Barcelona’s success in the Spanish Super Cup’s Clasicos. A great 2010/2011 season enriched with 53 goals in 55 appearances was finally well sealed for the Argentinian superstar, who eventually won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta
Arguably the best connection in midfield, at present… The two maestros have not only pushed the Spanish national team’s image to the top in recent years, but also have they helped Barcelona impose themselves over other giants in world football.
Gifted with the abilities to cross, pass and fool defenders, the Spaniards constitute the perfect engine behind any front line. With an effective attacking arrow in the danger zone, Xavi and Iniesta’s combination in midfield could decide who rules the UEFA Super Cup match at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.
