The Barcelona dressing room reportedly celebrated Real Madrid’s qualification for the Spanish Super Cup final, seeing an opportunity to face their historic rivals in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Spanish journalist José Álvarez, speaking on El Chiringuito TV, shared behind-the-scenes details from the club’s recent team dinner, attended by players and coach Hansi Flick.
“I asked the locker room staff directly, as well as people in general at the club. What they told me before and after the match was that they would have preferred to face Real Madrid in the final,” Álvarez revealed.
Barcelona See Real Madrid as the Preferable Opponent
According to Álvarez, Barcelona players believe Atlético Madrid would be a tougher challenge due to their intense style and defensive organization. In contrast, Real Madrid’s performance in the semifinal against Atlético weakened by injuries to Rüdiger and Asensio left the team vulnerable.
“The Barça dressing room preferred Real Madrid because, football-wise, they are a disaster,” said Álvarez.
Beyond tactical considerations, facing Real Madrid also carries a historic and emotional significance for Barcelona’s squad ahead of the El Clásico.
Real Madrid Under Pressure in Semifinal
In Thursday’s 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid faced significant challenges. Injuries forced Tchouaméni and Carreras into makeshift defensive roles, leaving the team under constant pressure. Despite the win, questions remain over the squad’s readiness for the final.
Fede Valverde, who scored one of Real Madrid’s goals, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings after the match:
“We were outplayed by Atlético de Madrid. If we want to win El Clásico, we all need to be united and we all need to be self-critical,” he stated, issuing a clear warning ahead of the Super Cup final.
Super Cup Final: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
The upcoming Super Cup final promises to be an intense encounter, with Barcelona feeling confident and Real Madrid aware of the challenges posed by a strong Catalan squad. With injuries affecting the Merengue squad and Barcelona sensing an opportunity, the first El Clásico of 2026 is shaping up as a must-watch clash for fans of Spanish football.
