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Madrid (AP) — The Spanish Super Cup returns to Saudi Arabia. Defending champions Real Madrid and Valencia are looking to get back on track, while Barcelona and Real Betis want to keep the momentum going.

Wednesday’s first semi-final match will be played between Madrid and Valencia, as both sides emerge from the weekend’s defeat in the Spanish league. Madrid lost three points to league leaders Barcelona in his 2-1 loss to Villarreal. Valencia suffered his 0-1 defeat at home to Cadiz, his second consecutive defeat in the league and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Barcelona and Betis will face off on Thursday following their home victory. Barcelona bounced back from recent poor results with his 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Betis got off to a good start to the year with his 2–1 win over Rayo his Vallecano to keep him in the Champions League quota.

The final will take place on Sunday at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.

This is the 4th edition of the improved Super Cup, played only between the Spanish league champions and the winner of the Copa del Rey. The runners-up from both competitions are now also participating, forming the Final Four tournament. Madrid won the league last season ahead of Barcelona, while Betis won the cup final against Valencia.

Madrid won the improved Super Cup in 2020 and 2022. Athletic Bilbao won in 2021 when the tournament was played back in Spain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A lucrative contract to play for Saudi Arabia has been extended until 2024-25 despite criticism of the country’s poor human rights record.

madrid exhaustion

Madrid will miss defender David Alaba and midfielder Aurelian Chuameni due to injury. Regular starters did not travel to Saudi Arabia with the rest of the team. Dani Carvajal, who was recently sidelined with a muscle problem, can play under Carlo Ancelotti.

Barça’s Lewandowski

Barcelona coach Xavi can count on Robert Lewandowski again after missing the first match of a three-match suspension in the league match against Atlético. However, he is cleared to play in the Super Cup and will start against Betis.

boosted betis

Betis started the year with a winning streak to qualify for the Super Cup. The result saw the Seville club finish his 4th place in the Spanish league and qualified for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini said: “It was important to win to qualify for the Super Cup.

Battle of Valencia

The team, coached by Gennaro Gattuso and led by veteran forward Edinson Cavani, arrived in Saudi Arabia after winning just one of their last eight games.

“We are going through tough times, but because I am the manager, I take responsibility first,” said Gattuso. “We have to keep working hard. That’s the only solution.”

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Tales Azzoni Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni

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AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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