The RFEF and the Saudi sheikhs got the final they wanted after two heart-stopping semi-final matches that were decided on penalties. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will play their second Clasico of the season. The first, corresponding to LaLiga matchday 9, ended 3-1 in favour of Los Blancos.
On that day Barça were no match for Carlo Ancelotti's men, but now the reality is very different. The men from the Spanish capital are physically very weak, while the Catalans are showing signs of assimilating better and better the idea that Xavi Hernández wants to transmit to them.
This change of trend leads us to think of another, more profound one, a possible change of dominance in Spanish football. Since their current coach took the bench, the team from Barcelona have not known what it is to win a title and believe that the time has come to return to being a team that aspires to this type of success.
The need to beat Sunday's opponents grows when you consider that during the 'Xavi era' Real Madrid have won one Champions League, one La Liga, one Spanish Super Cup and one European Super Cup.
Undoubtedly, the balance is very unequal, something that weighs heavily on the minds of the Culés fans, who start each season with the illusion and hope of recovering lost glory and always come up against the wall of despair.
Opposed Feelings
Although Xavi described his side's second half against Betis as "disappointing", which led to extra time and penalties, the fact is that their overall performance was notably better than Real Madrid's against Valencia, who dominated much of the game.
By contrast, the Merengues looked heavy, lacking in resources and rhythm in their duel against the 'ches'. A worrying situation at a time when they are playing to win the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup, as well as the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool. All in just over 30 days.
Yes, in the middle of January and with the most demanding part of the season still to be played, the Spanish Federation has decided that the best thing to do is to decide who will go through to the final with extra time. After a World Cup that already had many and 7,000 kilometres away from Spain. The great work of Luis Rubiales (45) and Gerard Piqué (35) is not much like the football for the fans that the opponents of the Superliga promised. It's not even for the footballers.
It's a Clasico and there's a trophy at stake. The stakes are high. The change of cycle that can take place is very important and the expectation is at its highest. Will Barça manage to start to get back on track or will Madrid show the power they usually display in the finals to add a new trophy to a trophy cabinet that has expanded enormously in recent years.
