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- Holders Real Madrid to take on Barcelona in mouthwatering match-up in the Saudi capital
RIYADH: The Spanish Super Cup final is returning to Riyadh, and Saudi football fans鈥� mouths are watering.
Sunday鈥檚 match at the King Fahd International Stadium will be El Clasico, pitting holders Real Madrid against Barcelona.
The Catalan team booked their place in the showpiece final with a nail-biting 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Real Betis after 120 minutes of football ended in a 2-2 draw.
Carlo Ancelotti鈥檚 Madrid side beat Valencia on penalties on Wednesday.
Barcelona's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen jumps to save a penalty kick during their semifinal match Real Betis, in Riyadh on Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
The final 鈥渨ill be a very nice game, everyone wants to see this type of game and we鈥檒l be delighted to play it and win it,鈥� Barca鈥檚 German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said.
Ter Stegen made some fine saves even before the semi-final shootout, where he was the key man. 鈥淚 would like to have less work in games,鈥� he said.
鈥淔or a year I鈥檝e been at a very good level personally, physically, it鈥檚 the work too 鈥� every day I have a spectacular team that helps me improve and think about how to get better.鈥�
Barcelona have not won the Spanish Super Cup since the change to a four-team format, with the first Saudi tournament taking place in 2020.
After finishing last season without a trophy and investing heavily in the summer despite the club鈥檚 debts, head coach Xavi and his team are desperate for silverware.
Although winning the Super Cup will not be enough in itself, it would be a step in the right direction and Xavi鈥檚 first trophy since arriving in November 2021.
鈥淭er Stegen makes the difference for us, I am very happy with him,鈥� the coach said. 鈥淗e saved two penalties, and we鈥檙e in the final. Now we have to compete in it and win it.鈥�