Barcelona will look to add yet another domestic trophy to their collection when they take on Sevilla in the Spanish Supercopa on Sunday.
In a break with tradition, the clash will be a one-off match played at the Stade Ibn Batoutain in Tangier, Morocco.
Sevilla must hope a change of country can help them upset the odds after a chastening 5-0 defeat by Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey in April. With Barca having won both the league and the cup, Sevilla provide the opposition once again.
It is a familiar scenario given the only major Spanish honour Barca have not won in the last four seasons was the league title in 2017, where they lost out to Real Madrid.
They have been less dominant in the Supercopa, beating Sevilla in 2016 but losing to Athletic Bilbao in 2015 and Madrid 12 months ago.
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The added complication for Sevilla is their involvement in Europa League qualifying, with Sunday's match coming in the middle of their two legs against Lithuanian side Zalgiris.
New manager Pablo Machin, who left Girona to take over at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, told the club's website: "On Sunday we'll play a final we've won the right to be at and we have to give it the importance it has.
"We will not reach 100 per cent. Being a team with a different way of playing we need some time, but the team is assimilating well and they are good and intelligent footballers."
Lionel Messi is set to play his first match for Barca since being named Andres Iniesta's successor as club captain and Ernesto Valverde must decide how many of his World Cup stars he throws into the mix.
Teenagers Riqui Puig and Juan Miranda have impressed in pre-season and could be involved, but Carles Alena and Denis Suarez are recovering from injury.
There was good news for Barca on the eve of the match, with Philippe Coutinho now classed as a European player thanks to his Portuguese wife, meaning Valverde could potentially give debuts to all of his new trio - Arthur Melo, Malcom and Arturo Vidal.
Malcom's transfer from Bordeaux was controversial after the Catalan side nabbed him from under the noses of Roma and now the Brazilian cannot wait to get started.
He said on fcbarcelona.com: "Barca for me is more than a club. I feel privileged to be here. I want to win titles and be an idol like the great Brazilians who have been here.
"All players dream of playing with Barca. I didn't imagine it would be so soon, but I knew I could fulfil my dream of playing here."
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Punchy appearance
Roars of support buoyed Mr Johnson in an extremely confident and combative appearance
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5