Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview

August 15, 2017
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Real Madrid will be looking to finish the job after the impressive 3-1 triumph at Camp Nou, although they will have to do so without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Barcelona need to score at least three goals if they want to lift the Super Cup trophy, which could be a problem now that Neymar is out of the picture.

Following a largely impressive campaign last term that saw them win La Liga and Champions League trophies, Real Madrid seem determined to pick up where they left off.

The ambitious goal is to try and win all six titles this season, and that does not seem like a mission impossible at the moment.

Namely, Real Madrid own the first trophy of the season by defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup, while they are on the verge of claiming the Spanish Super Cup as well.

Los Blancos recovered well from a soft penalty that was later converted by Leo Messi, scoring two late goals to make it 3-1 at Camp Nou.

The win came at a cost as Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off and subsequently earned a five-match ban, although Real Madrid have appealed against the decision.

The Portuguese superstar as well as Cesar Vallejo are definitely out of contention, but Isco and Mateo Kovacic have resumed training.

Latest reports suggest that Zinedine Zidane could decide to rest some of his starters in the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Navas – Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Hernandez – Ceballos, Casemiro, Modric – Isco – Bale, Benzema.

Things have not been going well for Barcelona of late and there is no doubt it has been painful to watch Real Madrid win numerous major titles.

Former Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde was brought to try and get the Catalans back where they belong, but Neymar’s exit seriously disrupted his plans.

Barcelona have so far only added Paulinho and Nelson Semedo to their ranks, while Gerard Deulofeu returned from Everton.

The Catalans have been trying to recruit Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, but have yet to make a breakthrough, and the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid proved they are in desperate need of reinforcements.

Barcelona are now priced at 17/10 to win the return leg at the Bernabeu, but that is easier said than done considering the circumstances.

Denis Suarez and Sergi Roberto are tipped to replace Gerard Deulofeu and Aleix Vidal, while new recruit Paulinho is unlikely to play a part.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): ter Stegen – Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta – Denis Suarez, Luis Suarez, Messi.

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