Real Madrid believe key duo will be fit to feature against Barcelona in Supercopa final despite picking up knocks in Mallorca clash: Reports
Real Madrid reportedly believe that Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham will be able to feature against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. The duoe picked up knocks in their 3-0 semi-final win against RCD Mallorca. The upcoming El Clásico is slated for Sunday, January 12, at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Against Mallorca, Bellingham opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a right-footed shot following a fast break in the 63rd minute. Martin Valjent netted an own goal in the 90+3 minute. Rodrygo Goes scored the third goal of the match just two minutes later from close range from an assist by Lucas Vázquez with a cross.
Fede Valverde was replaced by Dani Ceballos in the 75th minute after the Uruguayan sustained a muscle strain. Jude Bellingham also picked up a muscular problem later in the match but Los Blancos had used all their substitutions.
In the post-match press conference, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti explained his decision to substitute the 26-year-old and said (via GOAL):
"He had an adductor strain, like Bellingham. It was an unexpectedly hot game, it was very hot... and it could have affected both of them."
Questions have surfaced about Valverde's and Bellingham's availability in the upcoming Supercopa de España final. However, journalist Guillermo Rai has reported that the Real Madrid duo will be back on the pitch against Barcelona on Sunday.
Fede Valverde has registered seven goals and three assists in 28 matches this season, while Jude Bellingham has recorded nine goals and seven assists in 23 appearances. They have combined for two goals.
Carlo Ancelotti on Real Madrid facing Barcelona in Supercopa de España final
Carlo Ancelotti shared his thoughts on Real Madrid playing Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. The Italian manager recalled the last time the Spanish arch-rivals locked horns when Los Blancos faced a 4-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga in October 2024. He mentioned that his squad will aim to perform better than the Blaugrana. He said (via the club's official website):
"In recent times the Clásico has always been unpredictable. There have been games that we've won easily and others where they've beaten us 0-4. It's difficult to think about what the final will be like, but it's going to be entertaining because there'll be a lot of talent on the pitch. I don't know how it will go. We will try to do better than Barcelona."
About the current state of his squad at Santiago Bernabéu, Ancelotti added:
"We're pretty close to our optimum level. We continue to get results and we have to carry on in this vein. More than looking for the best level, we have to look for consistency in terms of play and results. At the moment it's going well."
Real Madrid and Barcelona have faced each other in 258 matches, with Los Blancos bagging 106 wins while the Catalan club won 101.
The Spanish arch-rivals are also neck to neck in their Supercopa de España victories. The Blaugrana have lifted the cup 14 times, which is one more than Real Madrid but Los Blancos beat Barca in the final last season.
