Troubled by its erratic form, Barcelona will face a Real Madrid that is playing like a champion-in-the-making in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Osasuna in the semifinals on Thursday was the first time it had won by more than a one-goal margin since September, a run of 20 straight games without a comfortable victory for Xavi Hernández’s side. “This is the ideal scenario for a player, to play against Madrid with a title at stake,” Xavi, who played 42 times against Madrid as a Barcelona midfielder, said Saturday.
Barcelona defeated Osasuna 2-0 on Thursday to set up a rematch of last year's Super Cup final against Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia. Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored a goal each for the Catalan club, which last year won the title for its first trophy with coach Xavi Hernández and without Lionel Messi. Madrid reached Sunday's final by defeating rival Atletico Madrid 5-3 in extra time on Wednesday.