The Spanish Super Cup, which will be held again next season in Final Four format and in Saudi Arabia, is taking shape. In fact, the four teams that will play it are practically known. For the moment, the presence of Athletic Club de Bilbao and Real Sociedad is assured as Cup finalists. Both will be released, since the last edition was composed of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Atlético de Madrid.
In addition to the two Basque teams, The participation of Real Madrid and Barcelona as champion and runner-up is not far from closed (order to be defined) from LaLiga Santander. To avoid this, the persecutors should cut a significant distance from here to the end of the domestic national championship. Seville (46 points) it is the best placed, although it must cut the nine of advantage that Barcelona has in the remaining 12 days.
Even so, there could still be several circumstances that would change the course of the Super Cup. The first is that Madrid or Barcelona lost their place because they were overtaken by another team. In that case, such a club would be the one that would travel to Saudi Arabia. It could also be that Real society, sixth of the table, made a perfect final straight and finished as leader or second of LaLiga Santander. In that case, the place of the winter tournament would go to third place in the First Division. The same would happen in the case that it was Athletic who fought to win the League.
The possibilities are remote, but mathematically there is still the option that Athletic and Real Sociedad finish as first and second of the championship domestic national. In that strange assumption, they would go to the Supercopa of Arabia next to the third and fourth classified of LaLiga. Be that as it may, more than two months before the end of the season, it seems complicated that the two Basques are not accompanied by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the new format promoted by Luis Rubiales.
Real Madrid emerged victorious from the first Spanish Super Cup.
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA (DIARIO AS)
Super Cup matches
The bases of the Super Cup establish that the runner-up of the Copa del Rey must be measured in the semifinals with the League champion. This time, it seems that it will be fulfilled. In fact, it just wouldn't be like that if there is final 'sorpasso' of Real Sociedad or Athletic. In the first edition of the four format, it did not happen. Barcelona had both characteristics, which caused the celebration of a pure draw that matched Real Madrid with Valencia and the Blaugrana team with Atlético de Madrid. If nothing changes, next May 24, date of the 38th day of LaLiga Santander, the pairings will also be known.
Immunity in the Copa del Rey
The fact of playing the Spanish Super Cup gives the four participants an advantage in the Cup. And is that they will be exempt until the sixteenth of the final or, what is the same, two rounds will be saved, in which the First Division teams measure themselves to clubs of Third and Second B. Anyway, it is a poisoned gift. This season, the four of Arabia were surprised by the trap of the single party, unlike their rivals, already accustomed. Moreover, neither Valencia, nor Atlético, nor Real Madrid nor Barcelona reached the semifinals of the KO tournament.
Rubiales, the great driver of the new Super Cup format.
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA (DIARIO AS)
The elections to the Federation and the Super Cup
The new Super Cup format has been questioned by many, not so much for the Final Four, but for the fact that it is disputed in Saudi Arabia. Luis Rubiales, as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, signed a large contract worth 40 million euros per year (Not all the money goes to the clubs, nor does the four charge the same) and three guaranteed editions. With the RFEF elections on the horizon, it is unknown what Iker Casillas would do with this competition in case he was victorious.
Anyway, the contract is signed and it seems complicated that it can be broken by the change of mandate. However, if Rubiales finally defeats his rival and others who may appear (Antonio Torres has already pronounced his intention) the continuity of the format and the headquarters is fully guaranteed. Be that as it may, Real Sociedad and Athletic already have the certainty of being able to fight the first title in Spain next season.
A first edition with the greats
Valencia, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, as great powers of national football, were the participants of the first edition of the Spanish Super Cup in the Final Four format. While the competition bases make it the strongest to participate in the Saudi Arabian tournament, the great Cup made by Real Sociedad and Athletic gives them a place. Now, they will have a great opportunity, not only at the sports level, but also when it comes to showing their values and philosophy internationally. Also for economic income.