Messi leads Barca squad against Madrid in Super Cup decider
- by Apollonia Musarra
- in World Media
- — Aug 25, 2017
Who will come out on top in the battle of the managers Zinédine Zidane or Ernesto Valverde? Barcelona have won the Super Cup on 12 occasions, including last year, but won it against Real Madrid only in 2011.
"We are not going to give up".
"He's very demanding but it's a big pleasure to work with him and he's done an amazing job since he joined Real Madrid".
You'll also likely be able to play through the first part of The Journey: Hunter Returns - although we wouldn't doing that unless you've played the first one.
Madrid went to Cordoba with their season in trouble, and were 1-1 against their relegation threatened opponents with time running out.
"I have a spectacular squad". Next to Modric and the indispensable Casemiro, Toni Kroos should also start as he progresses remarkably in his fitness.
Madrid appealed but that was rejected a few hours before the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning Ronaldo misses the match as well as his team's first four La Liga fixtures.
As Madrid has gotten stronger, its challengers have gotten weaker.
Returning to a competitive action after a summer of constant speculation about his future, Cristiano Ronaldo didn't disappoint and was at centre of all the drama that followed. So far, the only post-Neymar signing is Paulinho, a midfielder.
The former Liverpool forward will be on the sidelines for the Liga opener with Real Betis and the games with Alaves and city rivals Espanyol, as well as Barca's first Champions League group stage fixture.
Gerard Pique has conceded that Real Madrid are currently on a different level to Barcelona following their Supercopa de Espana triumph.
"Impossible to be immune to this situation, 5 games!"
Villarreal could be a team to watch.
Real eased off in the second half, with the cup practically wrapped up, and Barca improved slightly as a result, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hitting the woodwork.