Barca, Sevilla ready to contest Spanish Supercup

FC Barcelona and Sevilla will go head to head for the first leg of the Spanish Supercup on Sunday night with the first title of the Spanish domestic season in play.

Sevilla receive Barcelona in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium just days after their unfortunate defeat to Real Madrid in the European Supercup: a game in which the side now coached by Jorge Sampaoli showed their new passing style and were just seconds from winning.

Sunday sees a rematch of last season's Kings Cup final, which Sevilla ended with nine men after Kolo and Carricio were sent off and the duo are suspended for Sunday's game as a result.

Meanwhile Sergio Rico will start in goal after David Soria fractured a bone in his hand, an injury which will keep him out of action for five or six weeks.

All eyes will of course be on Leo Messi as Barca take to the pitch, not least because on Friday he announced the end of his short-lived exile from the Argentinean national team after meeting coach Edgardo Bauza following the Joan Gamper Trophy match.

Messi was back to his best in that game with two goals and an assist for Luis Suarez, who will partner him attack with an Arda Turam who needs to recapture the form he showed at Atletico Madrid.

Claudio Bravo will start in goal as a result of the knee injury suffered by Ter Stegen, while Jordi Alba's absence as the result of a stomach upset will allow recent arrival Lucas Digne to make his competitive debut at left back.

The Gamper confirmed that Barca score goals with ease, but also showed that Luis Enrique has work to do organizing his side's defense, which conceded 2 soft goals against Sampdoria.

Last season saw Barca suffer a shock 5-1 aggregate defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Supercup which should mean they avoid overconfidence, while Sevilla may feel the 120 minutes football in the legs of their players after their midweek defeat to Madrid.

It will be hot in the Pizjuan on Sunday with both sides aiming to give themselves a chance of lifting the title in the Camp Nou in the return leg three days later.

Source : XINHUA