The Spanish Super Cup is a competition that is more in the spotlight for its extra-sporting aspects than for what happens on the pitch. Once again this year, this competition leaves much to be desired by the organization of the RFEF, which has once again turned its back on this trophy.
Less than three weeks before the Final Four, neither the matches or the site were known. Butarque (Leganés) was chosen and tickets went on sale just three days before the matches. The result was disastrous: a half-empty stadium in what should have been a celebration of football.
The RFEF doesn’t seem to learn from past mistakes. In 2023, the Super Cup final was held at the Romano José Fouto Stadium in Mérida, where a similar line of organization was followed and this left images that demonstrated the Federation’s interest in women’s football.
Nobody forgets that image of the FC Barcelona players at the medal ceremony, picking up their award themselves from a table. The most positive thing was that, at least, RTVE has opted to broadcast the competition free-to-air on La 2 and Teledeporte.
Levante and Barça, the qualifiers for the final:
Let’s talk about what happened on the pitch. The first semi-final between Levante and Atlético de Madrid was a treat for the spectators, who enjoyed 120 minutes of pure emotion. Both teams came into this match on a high level of form, where there wasn’t a clear favourite.
The game started with great pace and intensity. Levante took the lead after five minutes thanks to a goal by Angela Sosa from the penalty spot. The game became a struggle for Atleti, but Eva Navarro threw the team on her back and created a lot of danger down the flank. Levante goalkeeper, Nuria Mendoza, made several saves to keep her team in the lead until the 21st minute. At that point, Ajibade scored a goal just inside the long post to level the match.
Any mistake could have been decisive, but both teams held on until extra time. José Luis Sánchez Vera‘s tactical changes were the key to Levante taking the game. In the second half, he brought on Gabi Nunes, who scored the two winning goals to send the ‘Granotas’ into the Super Cup final.
There wasn’t colour in the other semi-final. FC Barcelona, as expected, came back to beat Real Madrid by a landslide. Both teams came into this Clásico with a lot of injuries, but the white team is suffering more than it should. The blaugranas gave Toril‘s side a run for their money in all areas of the game.
Two goals from Mariona and another two from Salma Paralluelo were enough for Barça to reach the final. The blaugranas felt comfortable and enjoyed themselves on the ball, having practically the majority of chances in the match.
Mariona Caldentey was deservedly recognised as the MVP of the match, showing that she is still at a spectacular level playing with a lot of freedom. Other standouts were Engen (centre-back) and Ona Batlle (left-back) who, despite playing in less usual positions, are performing very well.
The final of the Spanish Super Cup will be played this Saturday 20 January at 20:00 at the Municipal Stadium of Butarque (Leganés). The match will pit two of the best Spanish teams of the moment against each other. A real fight for control of the ball, two very attractive styles of football.
This final is guaranteed to be very good football with the clash between Levante and FC Barcelona.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Images by: @LUDfemenino & @FCBfemeni.
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