ALABAMA - The 255th edition of "El Clásico" will see Real Madrid and Barcelona play for yet another title, as the 2024 Supercopa de España comes to an end. Last year, the team managed by Xavi was able to edge Real Madrid by a score of 3-1 and win its 14th Supercopa de España title, extending its gap with Real Madrid who counts with only 12 such trophies.
These two teams have met in a final in 16 previous occasions including seven Copas del Rey, one Copa de la Liga final and, including this year's matchup, in nine Supercopa de España finals.
The rivalry certainly intensified during the last decade with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish capital. During the Lionel Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, 'Merengues' and 'Culés' faced each other in five finals, with the first one coming in the 2010-11 Copa del Rey.
Barcelona's only triumph over Ronaldo's Real Madrid came during the 2011 edition of the Supercopa de España. Lionel Messi scored two of his 26 career goals against the 'Merengues' that night, deciding the game with two minutes left in regulation in a 3-2 Barcelona win.
In the 16 previous times they met in this instance, Real Madrid has a significant lead over their archrivals, winning 10 finals while Barcelona only accounts for six victories.
The first time both Spanish giants decided a trophy between each other came during the 1935-36 season also in the Copa del Rey. Barcelona had to wait more than 30 years to get its revenge on the 'Blancos' until they finally met again in the 1967-68 Copa del Rey final.
One of the most memorable Real Madrid-Barcelona finals in recent years was their Copa del Rey clash in 2014, remembered by an amazing solo-goal by Gareth Bale that decided the match with five minutes remaining in the game.
Just last time out though, the Catalan club came out on top in last year's Supercopa de España final. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and Pedri gave Barcelona a 3-1 win over their rivals and delivered Xavi Hernández' first title as manager of the club.
This will be the second "El Clásico" of the 2023-24 season. Last October, Real Madrid took the LaLiga derby thanks to a brace by Englishman Jude Bellingham. The teenager has been sensational this season, leading the 'Blancos' with 17 goals in all competitions this campaign.
Before Real Madrid's current two-game win streak against Barcelona, the 'Culés' had won the previous three encounters, their longest win streak in the rivalry since a run of also three between 2011-12.
According to DraftKings, Real Madrid enter the game as slight favorites with odds of +115.
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