Rafael Nogueira
Real Madrid have made a dramatic late adjustment to their starting lineup ahead of the Spanish Supercopa final against Barcelona, with Arda Güler withdrawn from the XI just moments before kick-off.
The Turkish midfielder was initially named in the starting lineup graphic released by the club. However, he has now been moved to the bench, with Gonzalo Garcia drafted in to start for the El Clásico clash in Saudi Arabia.
Gonzalo Garcia to Lead the Line
The change means Gonzalo Garcia will spearhead Real Madrid’s attack, while Kylian Mbappé remains among the substitutes. The reshuffle also impacts Madrid’s attacking structure, with Rodrygo shifting to the right wing and Vinícius Júnior continuing on the left.
It is a bold call from Xabi Alonso, placing trust in Garcia’s physical presence and work rate in a high-pressure final against Barcelona’s possession-heavy setup.
Clarification from Real Madrid
According to Real Madrid, the original inclusion of Arda Güler in the starting XI was the result of a clerical error. The club later confirmed that Gonzalo Garcia was always intended to start, with Güler correctly listed among the substitutes.
Despite the explanation, the late change has added another layer of intrigue to an already tense El Clásico, with all eyes now on how the revised attacking setup performs on the biggest stage.
Supercopa Final Builds in Intensity
Barcelona and Real Madrid meet once again with silverware on the line, and even before kick-off, the final has delivered its first major talking point. Whether the late adjustment proves decisive could define the outcome of the Spanish Supercopa final.