The Spanish Super Cup probably gets more press than any other preseason match in the world. Sure, the Community Shield is hyped up in England, as are several other preseason contests around the world, but the Super Cup so often matches Real Madrid and Barcelona that it is bound to get more publicity than the other. After all, everyone loves another El Clasico, at least until April and they are playing for the sixth time.
Barcelona Vs. Real Madrid, 2012 Spanish Super Cup: Jose Mourinho Plays Down Super Cup
But as much as people look forward to the Super Cup, Jose Mourinho doesn't. He'll send his team out there and he would probably rather win than lose, but don't expect him to let a loss weigh him down. After all, he knows what the Super Cup really is -- two glorified friendlies.
“I think it’s a game that will have little effect [on the season],” said Mourinho. “If I could choose, I’d choose what happened last year where we lost the Super Cup and won the league. If losing is a motivation for winning the league, I’d sign off on it now.”
So Mourinho doesn’t think the Super Cup is of grave importance. That is probably because it isn’t.
The two rivals will play two probably entertaining legs in two of the most famous stadiums in the world. More people will watch the match than one would think possible for a couple of friendlies and then the Super Cup will be forgotten. The teams will go back to playing matches that matter in the table and everyone will look forward to October 7 when Madrid visits the Camp Nou.
Barcelona can’t really hold a Super Cup win over Madrid’s heads after the Merengues claimed last year’s La Liga title. And is Real Madrid really going to tout a Super Cup win when they have the league title in their trophy case? Even the bragging rights are limited in this match.
Luckily for us, the entertainment value won’t suffer, even with limited stakes. The Super Cup will still features Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerard Pique, Mesut Ozil and another couple handfuls of the world’s best players. That’s quality entertainment, Mourinho’s wet blanket (soaked in truth, but still) be damned.
We’ll have updates throughout the day and live coverage of the match in our Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, 2012 Spanish Super Cup StoryStream. For more on the Blaugrana, head over to FC Barcelona blog Barca Blaugranes. For more on Los Blancos, check out Real Madrid blog Managing Madrid. For more from around the world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.
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