Sunday will host one other official El Clasico after Barcelona and Real Madrid secured spots within the closing of the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Thursday, courtesy of second-half objectives from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, paving the best way for a rematch in Super Cup closing.
The Catalans beat Real Madrid in final yr’s closing and can face their bitter rivals once more Sunday, Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller within the first semifinal in Saudi Arabia.
“We want to take the ball off Madrid; that’s our DNA. We’re hugely motivated; it’s the moment to show our best football,” Xavi informed reporters.
“We’re in another final, another Clasico, which was our main objective – we didn’t play a brilliant game, but a serious, sensible one.”
Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera saved Barcelona at bay earlier than Ilkay Gündoğan slipped in veteran ahead Lewandowski to open the scoring earlier than the hour mark.
The 35-year-old has not been at his finest this season however completed clinically to provide his group the lead.
Yamal, 16, stroked residence his first purpose since October in stoppage time to clinch Barca’s victory.
Beating Madrid final season within the Super Cup closing earned Xavi Hernandez his first trophy as coach and arrange the Spanish champions properly for his or her league title tilt.
The sides will do battle once more on the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh, with Barcelona making an attempt to kick-start their season, which has began in disappointing style.
The victory over Osasuna was Barcelona’s first by greater than a single purpose since September, throughout an unconvincing run of kind.
“It’s true that it’s been some time since we’ve won by more than a goal, but it doesn’t matter; it’s about winning, playing well, and we played a solid game,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong informed Movistar.
“We have to enhance; we’re bettering – it is fairly a brand new group this yr with lots of modifications, and also you at all times want time to enhance.
“(You need time) to get used to your teammates, and we’ve had a lot of injuries too; we’re in that process, and there’s a final against Madrid; it’s great, two top-level teams.”
Record 14-time Super Cup winners Barca battled within the first half with Jagoba Arrasate’s facet, runners-up in final season’s Copa del Rey closing in opposition to Real Madrid, and enjoying within the competitors for the primary time.
The overwhelming majority of Saudi followers have been supporting Barca, however there was a strip of supporters wearing Osasuna pink, who cheered as Herrera pummeled Gündoğan’s free-kick away.
Lewandowski headed huge when well-placed to attain, and on the different finish, Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made a powerful save from Ante Budimir 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Raphinha limped off injured for Barcelona and was changed by Yamal, who rapidly threatened along with his tempo and incisive move that Lewandowski couldn’t power residence.
We deserved extra
Lewandowski ultimately struck within the 59th minute after Gündoğan discovered him with a intelligent ball.
The Polish ahead carried the ball into the field and tucked a end residence on the close to put up.
Osasuna complained of a foul within the buildup by Andreas Christensen, however it was removed from clear.
“It’s evident for me (and) whether it’s by chance or not, these fouls always go the way of the same teams,” Osasuna captain David Garcia informed Movistar.
“I think overall we deserved more; I’m annoyed for everyone, the fans who came here and those who could not come and stayed back home.”
Xavi introduced on Pedri Gonzalez for his first look in almost a month after harm, and Joao Felix, who has fallen out of favor currently however instantly pressured an excellent Herrera save at full stretch.
Osasuna did not put Barcelona below sufficient stress to search out an equalizer, and Yamal slotted residence on the dying after good work by Felix to arrange Sunday’s mouthwatering closing.
“Every Clasico has its own story; we can’t predict many things, only that it will be an even game,” added Xavi.
Source: www.dailysabah.com