Barca, Real set for explosive reunion

Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose five meetings last season produced fireworks on and off the pitch, clash in a potentially explosive Spanish Supercup first leg tonight, a crucial marker for the season ahead.

Barcelona swept to a La Liga-Champions League double last time out, winning praise worldwide for their free-flowing, mesmeric style which had some commentators eagerly anointing them as the greatest club side of all time.

Real, meanwhile, had to settle for the Spanish Cup which was at least won with victory over their bitter rivals.

Today’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu will be played amid tight security in what is classified a high-risk meeting after last season’s five-game saga.

If Sergio Ramos overcomes a niggling back problem Real Madrid could field the same side that lost 5-0 to Barcelona in La Liga last November.

The subsequent four matches in the space of 18 days in April were more evenly fought and saw Real regain some lost pride with their King’s Cup final victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored, until now his only goal against Barcelona, in the final to qualify his team for this clash and he is keen this season to add more titles.

“Of course, we are going to try and have a good year,” said Ronaldo.

“I’m not thinking about beating my own figures from last season. I just want to play as well as I can for the team and win trophies which is what we work hard for.”

The only selection question for Jose Mourinho’s side is on the right-hand side of midfield where new signing Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria are fighting for one berth.

Barcelona, who went on to Champions League success against Manchester United in their last official game after defeating Real in the two legged semi-final, have more headaches surrounding their starting formation.

Talismanic midfielder Xavi Hernandez is almost certain not to play due to a calf strain, while injuries picked up in Spain’s friendly defeat by Italy on Wednesday night have left Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets in doubt.

Xavi’s likely replacement is Thiago Alcantara, who starred in the Spanish Under-21 team that won this summer’s European Championship and also appeared against the Italians on Wednesday making his full Spanish debut.

Javier Mascherano is standing by to fill in Pique’s central defensive role, a task he relishes.

“I have a lot of experience playing there so it doesn’t worry me,” he said.

Superstar Lionel Messi returned to training on Monday after an extended break following the Copa America and should be ready to play with new signing Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean international, also set to feature.

The second leg will be at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.