Some people said that all championship trophies won during the preseason lacked weight.
For example, the various countries' super cups, and even UEFA's Super Cup, carried a strong flavor of warm-up matches. England's Community Shield went even further, directly telling you that it was a charity warm-up match.
The Spanish Super Cup had always been like that too, but there were exceptions.
What would happen if Real Madrid and Barcelona met?
The previous few Super Cups had proven that even in a Super Cup with the nature of a warm-up match, Real Madrid and Barcelona would never hold back.
This year was no different.
After ending last season empty-handed, Barcelona brought in reinforcements over the summer, greatly improving the team's overall strength. Neymar led the attack, Alexandre Song strengthened the midfield, and Jordi Alba and Mathieu bolstered the defense. All three lines had been significantly improved. Barcelona had not only won every warm-up match, but had also crushed Real Sociedad 5–1 in their opening league match.
Compared with Barcelona's strengthening, Real Madrid underwent a restructuring over the summer.
The departures of Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Maicon, and Maxwell had greatly weakened Real Madrid's squad, yet the team had brought in only two young players, Eden Hazard and Azpilicueta. This had abruptly made Real Madrid the youngest team in La Liga by average age.
It could be said that Real Madrid were now the youngest team in La Liga, with the lowest average age and the greatest potential.
Everyone was highly optimistic about Real Madrid's future, but that did not necessarily mean they were optimistic about the team's present.
Could Hazard replace Ibrahimovic and form a Trident with Yang Yang, Robben, and Di Maria?
Could Azpilicueta become an important member of the defense? Could Arbeloa maintain the outstanding form he had shown in