FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are scheduled to take on one another on Sunday for the Spanish Super Cup. Both the El Clasico rivals arrived in Saudi Arabia with the intention of winning the cup and that is exactly what they intend to do. However, both Barcelona and Real Madrid will need to ensure their tactics are absolutely flawless in order to win.
Speaking ahead of the match, Xavi himself also addressed the threats that Real Madrid possesses. While there is undoubtedly the danger of in-form Englishman Jude Bellingham, there is simultaneously always the worry that Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr provides.
However, while speaking to the press as highlighted by SPORT, Xavi’s response to the Vinicius Jr threat has been silence of any actual answers. Thus far, the coach has not given any indication as to who he deploys but even then, most would like to believe that they have a fair idea.
Over the last couple of El Clasicos, Xavi has relied on Ronald Araujo to nullify that Brazilian danger. The Uruguayan defender is undoubtedly among the world’s elite, and his track record up against Vinicius Jr is undoubtedly quite strong.
Across the last six encounters, the Uruguayan defender has been deployed as a makeshift right-back in order to counter Vinicius. With four victories in Barça’s favor, and only two going to Los Blancos, it is easy to see how effective that tactic has been thus far.
However, with Joao Cancelo unlikely to feature, Xavi has limited options. It is possibly assumed that the Barcelona coach will likely go along with a back line of Alejandro Balde as the left-back, and Andreas Christensen as the central defender.
The only dilemma is whether to play Araujo or Jules Kounde as the right-back. Whoever is ultimately decided as the fullback, the other will automatically switch over to being a central defender.
