Madrid Set To Overcome Barca In Super Cup

Real Madrid needs to overcome the disappointment of a frustrating 2-2 draw when it plays at Barcelona in the second leg of the Spanish Super C up today.

Madrid dominated the first leg on Sunday and created the best scoring opportunities, but the team was eventually undone by the individual talent of the Spanish champions, notably David Villa and Lionel Messi.

Barcelona will welcome a return to the Camp Nou after an uncharacteristic match where it failed to impose itself through its usual passing game.

The Catalans may also be able to count on Cesc Fabregas, who joined his boyhood club from Arsenal on Monday, as they look to win the annual pre-season match between the league champions and the cup winners for the first time in five tries against Madrid.

“I am physically ready (to play), but it’s the coach’s decision. Barca and Madrid are two of the best teams in Europe, the competition (between the two) is brutal. Madrid never throws in the towel. We know they are a great team.”

Fabregas’ long-awaited return could be celebrated against Madrid, although the Spain midfielder’s arrival illustrates the Barcelona squad’s lack of pre-season training time with so many international players away at different times. Fabregas can at least slide right into the Catalan club’s system since he came up through the youth ranks before his move to north London eight years ago.

“It was a good result considering the shape we were in coming into the game,” Barcelona defender Daniel Alves said. “Several players had managed to play only some minutes for Barcelona this pre-season and we played pretty well against this Madrid, which enjoyed more time together as a team. Our team responded (Sunday) so we have to be happy.