MADRID: Barcelona could be hindered by a lack of preseason training come Sunday’s Spanish Supercup first-leg match at Real Madrid, according to coach Pep Guardiola.
The teams renew their explosive rivalry at the Santiago Bernabeu where Copa del Rey winner Madrid welcomes domestic league champion Barcelona. Guardiola has yet to lose a match at the Bernabeu since taking charge in 2008, winning three of four meetings.
While Barcelona’s entire squad will travel to the Spanish capital, Guardiola did not reveal whether Xavi Hernandez, who has a leg injury, Gerard Pique (leg) or Sergio Busquets (rib) would be available. Xavi and Pique trained normally Saturday while defender Carles Puyol is expected to miss out as he recovers from knee surgery.
“We’ve been together so little to start this season so I prefer for all of them to come,” Guardiola said on Saturday. “We’re not in great physical shape and we haven’t had as much preparation as we like but we have to go to Madrid and hope to play a good game.” International commitments have kept Barcelona’s complete squad from training together until this week.
New signing Alexis Sanchez has had little time with the team but the Chile forward will make his debut at the Bernabeu after his ?26 million ($37 million) transfer from Udinese last month. Sanchez provides another attacking option to a lineup that already includes Lionel Messi, David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez and Andres Iniesta.
Barcelona and Madrid’s rivalry has always been intense but the arrival of coach Jose Mourinho at Madrid upped the bitterness.
Mourinho was given a five-match sanction for claiming Barcelona received preferential treatment from referees and UEFA during the Champions League semifinal last season, which Barcelona went on to win.
Barcelona won the European final and its third straight league trophy while Madrid managed to better its Catalan rival in the cup final, the only final Guardiola has failed to emerge victorious from during three seasons in charge. (Agencies)