Anyone who thought the 2025 Supercopa D’Espana was a mid-season holiday in Saudi should ask Real Madrid how they are feeling today, after they took an almighty drubbing from El Clasico enemy Barcelona in the Sunday final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were in their fourth consecutive final but the defeat meant that Hansi Flick’s Barca extended their lead in Supercopa titles over Los Blancos. The 5-2 rout gave the Catalans their 15th title while Los Blancos’ threw away a chance to draw level on 14 wins. So there are some bragging rights there, but there’s also a nice psychological edge for Herr Flick’s boys as they enter the second half of the La Liga campaign.
The game was over by half time as Barcelona came back from an early Madrid goal to lead 4-1 at the break. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a sumptuous finish before Lamine Yamal levelled midway through the half. A Robert Lewandowski penalty gave the Catalans a lead and in-form winger Raphinha made it 3-1 with his first of a brace, before Alejandro Baldo all but finished the tie on the cusp of half time.
Raphinha soon scored his second but there was more drama to come as the Catalans went down to ten men after keeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off after he upended Mbappe outside the penalty area when the France star was through on goal. Rodrygo curled in the free-kick, but that was the end of the action as Barcelona celebrated a statement victory.
Ancelotti won’t be too worried by this setback but he will make sure his players feel the hurt and learn from it, and the La Liga 2025 betting odds still back a Los Blancos’ title, but Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will have plenty to say about it. And Flick’s men will take confidence into the next few weeks.
Rojiblancos are Top Dogs for now
While the El Clasico pair were battling it out in the heat of the desert Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid stayed ice cool as they beat Osasuna 1-0 to go a point clear of Los Blancos at the top of the La Liga table and six ahead of third placed Barcelona. It was a 14th consecutive win for Los Rojiblancos in all competitions and their La Liga 2025 results have made the deadly serious title contenders. Simeone led Atleti to the title just four years ago and he has the ambition to repeat that feat and win a 12th league title for the club which has, for long periods, lived in the shadow of its wealthy city neighbours.
The 14 match run is a club record and the win over Osasuna was a big night for former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez who scored the winning goal. In truth Atleti dominated the game from start to finish and Simeone’s only complaint would be that his team could have been more clinical in front of goal. Antoine Griezmann pulled the strings throughout and he almost grabbed an early lead but VAR spotted the ball had struck his elbow before he pulled the trigger. Alvarez was denied twice by Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera but the visitors almost took a shock lead when a shot from Pablo Ibanez crashed against the woodwork. When the goal eventually came it was well worked as Griezmann interchanged passes with Rodrigo de Paul and he crossed to the far post where Clement Lenglet nodded the ball down for Alvarez to finish. The Argentine hitman was delighted with his team’s efforts, saying: “We are very happy, we’ve been doing great work, but we have to keep working with humility. Good things will come.”
Elsewere, eighth placed Real Sociedad are at home to fifth placed Villarreal on Monday night and this SBOTOP writer is a Sociedad fan, so I’m hoping the Basque men can continue their steady improvement.
January comings and goings
The title chasers have work to do off the pitch in January as the recruitment teams work hard to strengthen their manager’s hand. Real Madrid have been strongly linked with Liverpool wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and when Los Blancos are linked, they usually get their man. But there is no news yet, though Trent’s form has been inconsistent in recent games and the England man is good friends with Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
With Lucas Vazquez expressing uncertainly over his own future at the Santiago Bernabeu this week, Los Blancos need to line up a replacement and another option that has hit the Spanish press is Rayo Vallecano’s right back Andrei Ratiu.
Meanwhile, over in Catalonia Barcelona’s financial juggling continues and, after receiving the good news that summer signing Dani Olmo has been cleared to play, the Blaugrana will need to offload some players to make room for re-enforcements. Centre back Ronald Araujo has been on Juventus’ radar and there could be some movement there, while midfielder Frenkie de Jong’s contract talks have stalled again and Barca might look to move the Dutchman out too, if an acceptable offer comes in and the player agrees.
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