Real Madrid Face Atletico As Imposters Gatecrash Spanish Super Cup Final in Saudi
Established 1961 27 Sports Sunday, January 12, 2020 Real Madrid face Atletico as imposters gatecrash Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi JEDDAH: Lionel Messi has predictably been the star Certainly, Barcelona and Valencia will resume in La attraction but there will be no Clasico in Saudi Arabia Liga with their rhythm jolted and confidence knocked. this weekend, as Atletico Madrid’s defeat of Barcelona set up a clash with rivals Real Madrid in GAINING MOMENTUM the Spanish Super Cup final today. After seven games unbeaten, Valencia were out- Messi was cheered by fans at the King Abdullah played in their 3-1 semi-final defeat by Real while Sport City Stadium from the moment he jogged out to Barca’s late collapse against Atletico brings doubts warm up, yet Atletico were the ones celebrating at around coach Ernesto Valverde rushing back to the the end of Thursday’s semi-final in the competition surface. that has been expanded and controversially shipped Already on Friday, reports in the Spanish press to a different continent, to a country with a long-con- were linking the club’s former midfielder Xavi demned record on human rights. Hernandez — who has been coaching in Qatar — with Atletico scored two late goals to beat Barca 3-2, taking his job in the summer. “There is always insta- with a derby final now to come against Real Madrid. bility when you lose,” admitted Valverde. When the Spanish Football Federation signed a three- Just as defeat to a rival creates instability, victory year contract worth 120 million euros ($133.4 million) could prove affirming for Real, who look to convert to move the tournament to Saudi, a title showdown form into a lead in La Liga’s title race, and Atletico, between Real and Barcelona would very likely have who are trying to close a five-point gap.
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