RIYADH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid and FC Barcelona play the Spanish Super Cup final in the King Fayd Stadium in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh on Sunday night.
The 'Clasico' is certainly the game that the organizers wanted for this tournament, ensuring a huge worldwide TV audience for a clash between the two biggest clubs in the world.
It is the second meeting of the two teams this season, with Real Madrid beating Barca 3-1 in La Liga last October in a game where Barca actually had more possession and more shots.
Neither side goes into the final in outstanding form, with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti explaining that his players still had not recovered from the FIFA World Cup and Xavi Hernandez asking for more consistent displays from Barca.
Both needed extra time and penalties to book their final spots, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois the shootout hero as Madrid got past Valencia after 120 minutes ended 1-1 on Wednesday.
Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was also a hero as he saved two spot kicks after their semifinal against Betis finished 2-2 after extra time.
As Barca's semifinal was played on Thursday, they have 24 hours less to prepare for the final, and they ended with several players suffering cramp and Xavi explaining that both Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele had physical issues.
Real Madrid also have some problems with Lucas Vazquez twisting an ankle on Wednesday that will sideline him for six weeks, while Eduardo Camavinga is a doubt after suffering a blow to his knee.
David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni are back in Spain with calf problems. The good news for Real Madrid is that Eder Militao should be able to play after leaving the pitch feeling dizzy on Wednesday after being hit on the head by the ball, and Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will start after recovering from injury.
Xavi will worry about Dembele, who has been Barca's most incisive player in recent games, while Ronald Araujo will probably be risked despite playing 120 minutes on Thursday.
The Uruguayan completed his third game back after 10 weeks out through injury, and his pace and power in the air make him a key player for Barcelona.
Andreas Christensen and Alex Balde could step into the Barca defense, with Jules Kounde given the task of stopping Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. ■
