16 hours ago
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Real Madrid have booked their place in yet another Spanish Super Cup final after edging past Atletico Madrid with a narrow 2-1 victory.
While the result itself was hard-fought, the bigger talking point quickly shifted to what comes next.
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For the fourth consecutive season, the final will once again feature a Clásico showdown, with Barcelona standing between Madrid and the trophy.
From a Barcelona perspective, this fixture has become a familiar and often rewarding stage in recent years.
The Blaugrana dismantled Real Madrid in last season’s Super Cup final, and that memory continues to linger as both teams prepare for another high-stakes meeting on Sunday.
Valverde and Courtois on facing Barcelona
Madrid may have progressed, but their players are aware that Barcelona remain the ultimate test.
Federico Valverde, who produced a stunning start to the final with a powerful free-kick in just the second minute, was one of the first Madrid players to acknowledge the scale of the challenge ahead.
Courtois is ready to face Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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After delivering a Man of the Match performance against Atletico, the Uruguayan midfielder turned his attention to Barcelona, fully aware of how dominant the Blaugrana were in the same fixture last year.
“We have to be prepared, well-rested and mentally prepared to win.”
Thibaut Courtois also addressed the looming Clasico, offering a more emotional insight into Madrid’s mindset.
The Belgian goalkeeper openly admitted that recent history against Barcelona still hurts, especially in finals where the margins are unforgiving.
“We have to win. Last year, we lost two finals against them, and we want to win, just like them, who lost the Clasico in La Liga and will be hungry for revenge.
“It will be a great game between two teams who will want to win. We have to recover well and have fresh legs on Sunday to win,” he said.
Source: Real Madrid website
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