Barcelona extend Clasico dominance with Supercopa triumph over Real Madrid

Barcelona’s 5-2 thrashing of Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana on Sunday served as another resounding statement in a rivalry that has increasingly tilted in the Blaugrana’s favour.

The gulf in quality between the two sides has been evident in their recent encounters, with this result coming on the back of Barcelona’s 4-0 demolition of Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabéu earlier in the season.

Despite trailing Real Madrid in La Liga, Barcelona’s superiority in head-to-head clashes is becoming a recurring theme. The final in Riyadh showcased a clinical and cohesive Barcelona team under the guidance of Hansi Flick, who claimed his first trophy as the club’s manager.

All five of Barcelona’s goals came in a scintillating first half, with standout performances from Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Alejandro Balde. Madrid’s defence was repeatedly exposed, and while Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring early on, his efforts proved to be in vain as Real Madrid unravelled.

Flick praised his team’s unity and adaptability post-match, highlighting their ability to exploit Real Madrid’s mistakes. “We are a team. You could see that after the win, but it always shows. We stick together and our aim is to learn from every game,” Flick said.

He also expressed pride in managing what he called an “incredible team,” emphasising their focus on maintaining consistency and building momentum.

In contrast, Carlo Ancelotti offered a candid assessment of his team’s shortcomings. While Mbappe delivered a stellar individual performance — completing 8 of 9 dribbles and playing a key role in Madrid’s attacking moves — the rest of the team faltered.

Ancelotti lamented their defensive lapses and lack of cohesion, admitting, “We must confront reality — we fell short defensively and allowed them to score with ease.”

Barcelona’s dominance was not just about their attack; it was also a testament to their tactical discipline. Even after Wojciech Szczęsny’s red card in the second half, the Catalans remained resolute, limiting Madrid to just one more goal from Rodrygo.

Flick’s ability to galvanise his side in challenging moments underlined the team’s growing maturity under his leadership.

This result not only secured Barcelona their 15th Supercopa de Espana title but also reinforced their dominance in this fixture. The Catalans’ clinical edge starkly contrasted Madrid’s inefficiency, as Los Blancos managed more shots (19 to Barcelona’s 14) but failed to convert their opportunities.

The narrative of this season’s Clasicos raises questions about the true gap between these two sides. While Real Madrid currently sit above Barcelona in the league, the manner of their defeats suggests a deeper issue.

For Ancelotti, the focus must now shift to rebuilding confidence and addressing defensive frailties if Madrid are to compete effectively in the latter stages of the season.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s triumph provides momentum as they prepare for their upcoming Copa Del Rey Round of 16 clash. Flick’s side has found a formula that works, combining youthful exuberance with experienced leadership, and they will aim to carry this form into the remainder of their campaign.

Though the league table might not yet reflect their resurgence, Barcelona’s dominance in Spain’s most iconic rivalry serves as a powerful statement of intent.