mynorth the huddle Delaware BRAND Direct Rafa Sahuquillo Meeting to analyze in depth the Classic of the final of the Spanish Super Cup 2026, played in Saudi Arabia and resulting in a 3-2 victory for FC Barcelona against Real Madrid, a Jorge López Marco “Tote”, Juanma Prieto, Josele Rodríguez and David Sánchez Cañete. The participants put on the table the football, physical and behavioral keys that left the first official title of the year.
The analysis started with the context: heat, humidity, travel and a Madrid weighed down by injuries. Josele, white reporter, stressed that Xabi Alonso’s team ““he ran many stretches after the ball” and that the plan was to resist and go on the counterattackconditioned by absences and for once far from the ideal. The hydration break reflected the wear and tear: while the blaugranas remained standing, the whites looked for a seat.
A plan conditioned by the physical.
For Tote, the Madrid approach was a direct consequence of the moment: “Madrid arrived very affected physically and psychologically”. The coach chose to close spaces inside and protect himself with a low block to minimize the damage to Barça, who dominates that lane with talent and mobility. “At times he achieved it, but Barça has more arguments,” summarized the former soccer player.
Juanma Prieto added that the white team “has to adapt to what there is”bet on quick transitions and take advantage of the speed of their wingers. Along these lines, Cañete defended the need for a ‘9’ to establish center backs and allow direct play: with Gonzalo García as a reference, Madrid found oxygen in long deliveries and second plays.
Celebrations, respect and values
Not everything was consensus. Cañete was especially critical of certain attitudes at the celebration: ““You have to know how to win and know how to lose.”. Tote and Josele agreed to demand protocols and respect for the rival, remembering the figure of classic captains who led the way. “Celebrate yes, but with elegance,” was the shared idea.
Simeone: “I want to apologize to Florentino Pérez and Vinicius”
The debate closed with the reflection on Diego Simeone’s public apology after a controversial gesture in the Copa. For the commentators, recognizing mistakes is honoring, but the nuance between “apologies” and “sorry” opened a final exchange about forms and substance in today’s football.
Shared conclusion of the Huddle: Barça was a fair champion in Arabia; Madrid competed with what it had and left green shoots, but the Classic It once again showed that, in addition to tactics and physicality, football is based on values.