We did not have too wait too long for the tasty treats to begin. Tomorrow both titans clash in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, the first title on the line.
For Real, Pepe woke up in the hospital after his nasty clash of head with Iker Casillas and the extent of his problems were quickly discovered when he reportedly said, ” My name is Pablo, where am I?” It’s just a little less disturbing than waking up transformed into a giant insect and calling himself Gregor Samsa.
Leo Messi has gone 362 minutes without scoring a goal against Real, a fact which Marca gleefully rubs in with salt. In Messi terms that is 5 lifetimes of not scoring. Marca points out that his scoring form against Real dried up in the matches featuring Fabio Coentrao. Which maybe happenstance but it is one that Real will gratefully accept.
Real will start Coentrao, Mesut Oezil, and Marcelo, who have all been cleared to play. Jose Mourinho is also expected to give the nod to Gonzalo Higuain who was impressive against Valencia while Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to step it up after a somewhat subdued start to the season. Barca can expect to get back Alexis Sanchez. There could be a possibility of Alex Song seeing his first action as a Blaugrana. His former Arsenal team mate Cesc Fabregas will play his 50th match since arriving from the Emirates.