Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid | Spanish Super Cup final | OneFootball

Real Madrid may not have been at their best against Atletico Madrid in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup earlier this week, but they did eventually get the job done.

A 2-1 win over their local rivals helped them book a berth in the finale of the competition where they will face off against Barcelona in a fascinating clash later tonight.

Real Madrid lost both the finals they played against Hansi Flick’s side last season, but they have won their most recent game against the Blaugrana in La Liga.

Both sides, needless to say, will come out all guns blazing and the game may well prove to. Be a high-scoring affair.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Real Madrid.

A defensive crisis once more

Real Madrid’s semifinal win over Atletico Madrid in the derby came at a costly price, especially in the defensive department where the tam have struggled all season.

In what can only be described as a bizarre development, both of Real Madrid’s starting centre-backs asked to be taken off in the same substitution window, leaving the team with a makeshift back-line.

What is more worrying, however, is the uncertainty looming over the defensive situation ahead of the final.

Antonio Rudiger has made progress after aggravating his knee setback and will be available, but whether he is ready to start remains uncertain. Meanwhile, David Alaba is practically out of Xabi Alonso’s plans for a multitude of reasons.

There is optimism around Raul Asencio starting, after it has been confirmed that he has no injury, but there remains a doubt as to who will partner him in the final. 

After all, Dean Huijsen did not even come off the bench in the semifinal despite both central defenders coming off, leaving massive questions about his fitness and match-preparedness ahead of a Clasico.

The big questions for Alonso, thus, are whether Asencio is indeed ready to start and who will partner him if he is. If throwing Rudiger and Huijsen into the deep end is not viable, he may have to use one of Alvaro Carreras or Aurelien Tchouameni in the position.

Is it worth risking Mbappe?

Alonso has a huge decision to make with Mbappe. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The million-dollar question for Alonso ahead of tonight’s clash is whether it is worth the risk to start Kylian Mbappe given that the Frenchman is partially being rushed back from injury.

There is no doubt that the 27-year-old has made progress in his recovery and that he is close to his complete fitness.

Earlier in the day, there were reports that pointed out an idea in the Real Madrid administration to give Mbappe painkillers to help him participate in the final. The report also suggested that the attacker would be rested later in the week to compensate.

Injuries, however, do not work that way, and fielding Mbappe if he is not at his 100% will risk an aggravation. The same decision, after all, backfired with Rudiger in the semifinal.

Another doubt that the management have around Mbappe is whether the France captain will be ready to return directly for a final given that he last played before the Christmas break.

All eyes, thus, will be on Alonso to see what he decides over Mbappe’s participation.

A title that could change everything

Nothing unites a dressing room the same way a trophy does, and Real Madrid have that golden chance ahead of them just over 24 hours away.

Alonso does indeed have some of the pressure lifted off his shoulders after the win in the derby, but winning the trophy will remove any lingering doubts and almost assure him having the reins of the team until the end of the season.

For the locker room, the effect of lifting the silverware cannot be understated. After all, most of Real Madrid’s dressing room thrive in races for trophies, and winning their first domestic title in over a year will be a massive unifying factor.

If everything goes to plan, the night in Jeddah could well be a turning point in Real Madrid’s season. It could serve as a unifying force between the players and the manager, just as it can between the coach and the board.

The stakes, needless to say, could not be higher for Real Madrid.