The most anticipated match is just around the corner. Barça and Madrid face off again after the 0-4 thrashing by the blaugrana team in the last LaLiga clásico. This time, the match will be played in a very different setting, thousands of miles from Spain, with the first title of the year at stake: the Spanish Super Cup.
Barça secured their spot in the final by defeating Athletic de Bilbao, while Real Madrid overcame Mallorca. Barça arrives with worse feelings than at the Clásico last October but with the conviction of being able to play a good match. Madrid, on the other hand, seeks revenge amid the storm of the 'Olmo' case.
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, Available for the Final
Finally, although only provisionally, Barça has won against LaLiga and the RFEF in the battle over the registrations of Olmo and Pau Víctor. The CSD has granted the precautionary measure in time, and both players can have minutes if Hansi Flick deems it appropriate.
The FC Barcelona board, led by Joan Laporta, argued from the outset that the required documentation arrived on time. LaLiga, the RFEF, and several teams in the domestic competition, however, believe that Barça has broken the rules. Therefore, a Clásico with many decibels is expected, both in strictly sporting and non-sporting terms.
Laporta Speaks for the First Time about the Precautionary Measure Granted to Barça
Laporta decided to be cautious and not make statements before knowing the CSD's resolution to avoid complicating the situation. Before the match against Athletic Club de Bilbao, cameras captured Laporta's reaction to the precautionary measure.
Although a middle finger speaks louder than a thousand words, especially knowing the impulsive character of Barça's president, Laporta hadn't spoken publicly until today.
Laporta, who will give his point of view on the 'Olmo case' in detail on Tuesday in Sant Joan Despí, did make a brief preview in Jeddah.
"This Super Cup has been wrapped in a controversy that could have been avoided if things had been done differently. The fact is that it's already been solved, and they can play. From Barça's point of view, we're satisfied."
Regarding his viral reaction to the CSD's precautionary measure, he said the following:
"soccer is emotion. You can laugh, you can cry, you can be happy, you can be angry, you can be in a critical situation, but the important thing is the emotions we experience in life and in soccer. However, soccer is pure feeling, and that's why it always wins."
Laporta will be in the stands to watch the Clásico despite the commotion. Dani Olmo, for his part, is likely to be a starter, as he is a key player in Hansi Flick's plans.