Pedri, a key player in the Barcelona midfield, could make his comeback in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Osasuna, according to information from Mundo Deportivo.
The young Spanish midfielder traveled to Saudi Arabia with his team. Xavi, the coach of Barça, expressed optimism about Pedri’s participation, highlighting his positive feelings in recent days.
Barça may rely on Pedri
Xavi also discussed the cases of João Cancelo and Iñigo Martínez, stating that it would be “complicated” to see the Portuguese full-back in the squad, as well as the former player of Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. In addition to these absences, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, and Marcos Alonso have all chosen to stay in Catalonia to follow their recovery programs after their respective injuries. Xavi will have to deal with a depleted squad in the match against Osasuna.
In preparation for the semi-final, FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez expressed his wish that the Spanish Super Cup serves as a “turning point” for his team, currently in doubt. During the pre-match press conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Xavi recalled that his team’s victory in this competition the previous year had revitalized Barcelona’s season. He hopes that this edition will again be a turning point for his team, emphasizing the importance of winning additional titles to regain confidence and stability, especially with a gap in La Liga behind Real Madrid and Girona.
Xavi acknowledges his team’s “favorite” status against Osasuna, who reached the semi-finals thanks to their lost Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. If Barça reaches the final, they will face the winner of the match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, scheduled for this Wednesday.
Yesterday, Tuesday, and following an exciting scenario, Real Madrid secured an impressive 5-3 victory over Atlético Madrid after extra time. The Merengues faced tough moments, managing to force extra time in the last minute of regulation.
The Super Cup, a jackpot for Barça and Real Madrid
It was only at the end of the extra 30 minutes that they managed to score their fourth goal, ensuring their place in the final, and even added a fifth goal. Real Madrid will now prepare to face FC Barcelona or Osasuna in the final scheduled for Sunday night. The team demonstrated impressive resilience to overcome obstacles and qualify for the competition’s grand final.
By participating in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid and Barça will benefit from a significant financial windfall, marking a successful economic operation.
Despite a busy schedule, the main goal of the clubs does not seem to be reducing the workload. Starting tomorrow, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Barça, and Osasuna will head to Saudi Arabia to compete in the Spanish Super Cup. This extensive trip for just two matches could have consequences on the players’ physical condition, but the financial aspect clearly takes precedence. The Spanish Federation has achieved a significant coup by relocating this mini-competition to the Gulf, thereby generating substantial profits for the participating clubs.
According to information from the newspaper Marca, the Spanish Federation receives about 40 million euros for each edition through a contract negotiated until 2029. The main beneficiaries of this financial windfall are Barça and Real Madrid, each receiving approximately six million euros. Atlético Madrid, on the other hand, will receive “only” three million euros, while Osasuna will have to settle for less than a million. It is also emphasized that the three major clubs are expected to pay Osasuna 200,000 euros. In addition, the finalists and the trophy winner will each receive a one-million-euro bonus, providing a welcome financial boost in the midst of the transfer market.
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