MADRID, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid have the chance to forget a dreadful start to the current football season when they entertain FC Barcelona in the return leg of the Spanish Supercup on Wednesday night.
Madrid go into the game 3-2 down after the first leg, which was played in Barca's Camp Nou Stadium and Jose Mourinho's side can be thankful to a dreadful error from Barca keeper, Victor Valdes, which gifted his side their second goal of the night, for keeping their hopes of the title alive.
Barcelona were clearly superior to Madrid in the first game and the match looked as if it was closer to ending 4-1 that 3-2, before a poor control from Valdes allowed Angel de Maria to hind his side a late lifeline.
De Maria's goal means a 1-0 or 2-1 win for Madrid would see them claim the title on away goals, but it is not going to be easy despite Madrid playing in front of the packed stands of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Barca have had the better of things in their rival's backyard in recent times, winning in the Bernabeu in both the Primera Liga and the Supercup last season. Indeed Barca have lifted the Supercup at the start of the past three seasons and new coach Tito Vilanova knows that although the Primera Liga is the main prize, defeating Madrid in their early season trophy, would be the perfect start to build confidence at the start of his reign as Barca coach.
While Madrid have had a poor beginning to the season, drawing at home to Valencia and losing at the weekend in Getafe, Barca have won their two opening matches and have a five point lead over the side that is destined to be their main rival for the league title.
Vilanova's style is similar to that of his predecessor, Pep Guardiola, with a few incorporations of his own, such as hitting all corners directly into the rival penalty area, whereas with Guardiola, Barca favored a short corner regime.
Vilanova also likes his side to use the full width of the pitch more than they did in recent seasons, while his players are also encouraged to take more shorts from distance, all of which means the new-look Barca is slightly more direct in style than in recent seasons.
Barca captain Carles Puyol could play in a protective facemask after breaking his right cheek, while Pepe could return for Madrid after suffering concussion in the opening league match of the campaign.
Meanwhile new Madrid signing Luka Modric could make the substitutes' bench after completing a 35 million euro transfer from Tottenham on Monday.
A win for Madrid would help change the atmosphere after their poor start to the season, while if Barca can lift the Supercup for the fourth consecutive season, it would cap a perfect start for Vilanova and be a smack in the face for Real Madrid who last season refused to allow the final of the Copa dl Rey to be played on their home turf mainly because they didn't want to see Barca lift a trophy there.
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