2 days to the game in Monaco

Porto, Barça’s rivals this Friday in the Louis II Stadium in Monaco, have, amongst their achievements, a European Super Cup, won 24 years ago. Barça, however, are going for their fourth.

Monaco will host the Final of the European Super Cup for the last time. So, Porto and Barça will have the honor of being the last participants, in the Principality of Monaco, in the Super Cup, which from next season will be held in Prague (Czech Republic). The competition, played over just one game since 1998 in Monaco, has seen both sides of Barça. If in 2007 Barça lost 3-0 against Sevilla, in 2009 they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. The balance in the Principality is 1 win and 1 defeat.

How Barça are coming into the game
With the goal of picking up their second title of the season, Pep Guardiola’s Barça are up against Porto in their eighth Super Cup Final. Barça, who have won 3 and lost four, will be looking to win their fourth Super Cup on Friday.

Without Gerard Piqué , with a calf muscle tear that will keep him out for three weeks, and also Carles Puyol, who is still recovering from his knee injury, Pep Guardiola will choose from Mascherano, Abidal, Fontàs, Busquets, or one of the Barça B players to fill the central defensive positions .

Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez, and Maxwell returned to work with the group and could play if Guardiola sees fit. Ibrahim Afellay is still doing recovery work away from the main group.

How Porto are coming into the game

The Portuguese team, currently managed by Vitor Pereira after the departure of Villas-Boas to Chelsea, has already begun the Portuguese League, and on the right foot. They’ve won their 2 games so far and are in first place. Also, just like Barça, two weeks ago they won the Super Taça Cándido de Oliveira, the Portuguese equivalent of the Spanish Super Cup.

Going for the fourth Super Cup.
Barca won their first European Super Cup in 1992, beating Werder Bremen, over 2 legs. However, before that they lost 3 Finals against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, and AC Milan. The second trophy came in 1997, also against a German team: Borussia Dortmund. The third and last trophy was two years ago with a goal from Pedro in extra-time. This Friday, Barça are looking for their fourth Super Cup trophy, and to get closer to AC Milan who, with 5 titles, leads the table of winners.