Real Madrid stormed into the final of the revamped Spanish Supercopa with a 3-1 win over Valencia in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night.
With Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard out of the trip altogether, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane picked five midfielders in his starting XI and was rewarded as his side dominated possession and three of those players scored in Jeddah.
Real are in this competition after the RFEF opted to make the Supercopa a four-team affair in a three-season deal with Saudi Arabia and Los Blancos took full advantage against Copa del Rey holders Valencia.
Toni Kroos gave Los Blancos the lead in extraordinary fashion as he netted directly from a corner after 15 minutes, with Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech caught off guard and only able to help the ball into the net.
The pressure remained incessant from Zidane’s side and Isco made it 2-0 six minutes before the break, when he chested down a ball and volleyed past Jaume after Luka Modric had seen his effort blocked by a Valencia defender.
Little changed in the second period as Madrid continued to control the game and Modric made it 3-0 with a glorious goal after 65 minutes.
The Croatian received a pass from Jovic on the right side of the area, looked up and with Valencia’s defenders expecting a pass, he curled an impudent effort into the corner with the outside of his right boot.
Substitute Mariano hit the side netting late in the game as Madrid almost made it four and although Valencia pulled a goal back via a Dani Parejo penalty in added time, it was too late by that point.
Zidane’s side will meet the winner of Barcelona and Atletico, in action on Thursday, in Sunday’s final at the same stadium.
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Zidane happy to be in Saudi Arabia
"We've not come here to make up the numbers, it's an important competition and we want to give our all," Zidane said at his pre-match press conference yesterday.
"We know that it's going to be tough, but we have to play to our best. I'm happy to be here because it's an important competition and one that my players and I are up for.
"We're here to play in the Spanish Super Cup, we've received a really warm welcome and are delighted with the welcome we've been given in Saudi Arabia.
"We're abroad but we adapt to things. We're fully focused on the semi-final, which for us is like a cup final."
Valencia vs Real Madrid predicted lineups
Here's how we see the two teams shaping up...
Valencia XI: Domenech; Costa, Garay, Paulista, Gaya; Wass, Parejo, Coquelin, Soler; Maxi Gomez, Ferran Torres
Real Madrid XI: Areola; Odriozola, Militao, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Valverde, James; Lucas Vazquez, Jovic, Vinicius Junior
Ben Hayward's opinion
Our Spanish football correspondent believes that the RFEF 'should be ashamed' of their decision to host the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia.
"It may be nothing new in football, but the RFEF do not seem to care where the money comes from. As long as it comes. And Spain's Football Federation should be ashamed of itself for selling its soul – and selling the Supercopa – to Saudi Arabia."
Why were Saudi Arabia picked as hosts?
A bidding process was contested between Qatar, China and India was won by Saudi Arabia following an offer reportedly worth around €120 million (£102m).
What is the reaction in Spain like?
The decision to change the Supercopa format and host it in Saudi Arabia has not gone down well. Spanish state broadcaster RTVE refused to enter a bidding process for the competition "because [Saudi Arabia] violates human rights, especially women’s rights in the area of sport.
All of the above appears to have translated into a lack of ticket sales from official club channels. The four teams were each given 12,000 tickets to sell, but have been met with little enthusiasm.
Marca reported a day before the first semi-final that Real Madrid had sold 700 tickets and Barcelona had sold 300. It's far worse outside the big two, with Atletico Madrid shifting 50. And Valencia? Just 25 of 12,000.
Why did the Spanish FA (RFEF) change the Supercopa format?
According to RFEF president Luis Rubiales, "the Super Cup was doomed to death" and changes had to be made to avoid the competition being scrapped.
"The money we will get is not for building a villa," he added. "It will go to women's football and the clubs in Segunda B and Tercera. Of course, money is important, who can deny that? Money is very important but the money will go where it is needed."
The format change also looks to guarantee at least one of Barcelona and Real Madrid compete in it every year, and most likely both to set up an annual Clasico abroad.
Venue
Every game will be played at the 62,000-seater King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Real and Valencia kick off tonight at 7pm GMT, while Barcelona take on Atletico tomorrow night at the same time.
Supercopa changes
Traditionally a two-legged August affair between the Copa del Rey winners and LaLiga champions, the Supercopa switched to a single-game final in Morocco in 2018 before being expanded to a four-team format this year.
As you can see by your calendars, the tournament has also moved to January, and will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Copa winners Valencia and LaLiga champions Barcelona are joined by Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Welcome to our LIVE coverage of tonight's Supercopa semi-final clash between Valencia and Real Madrid.