FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, right, and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal gesture during their Spanish Supercup first leg soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. (Photo:AP)
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho included new signing Luka Modric in his squad in hopes of clinching the first victory of the season against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.
Madrid signed Modric from Tottenham on Monday, one day after their shock loss to Getafe in the team's worst start in nearly 40 years. Madrid currently trails Barcelona 3-2 as they go into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Madrid spent a reported 35 million euros (some $44 million) on the attacking player, as its defense, currently missing Pepe, continues to struggle, having conceded five goals in two straight losses.
Mourinho also brought back out-of-favor midfielder Kaka for the first time since the opening round.
Madrid's performance at Getafe was largely ineffective. Mourinho hopes Modric's arrival will bolster the team, especially in light of Barcelona's solid form.
Mourinho said his players had lacked motivation, concentration and ambition at Getafe, warning that there could be more transfer activity if performances failed to improve.
"Winning the Super Cup or not, beating Barcelona or not – that's not important. My priority is to know if what happened in Getafe is a one-off or if it's a psychological problem of certain players, or of the team,'' Mourinho said Tuesday at the Bernabeu. "That's the fundamental thing for me tomorrow, to know what players I have.''
Pepe appears to have recovered from his concussion, meanwhile, making the squad with Raul Albiol having failed to secure a place.
The Catalans have won all three of their matches and have already opened up a five-point gap to Madrid, the league's defending champion.
The Copa del Rey champions would have been in firm control of the Super Cup if not for a late error by goalkeeper Victor Valdes that allowed Madrid to pull back an extra away goal.
"I'm surprised that anyone at this level can doubt Valdes,'' coach Tito Vilanova said. "The club has four Champions League trophies, and he was decisive in three of those.''
Defender Carles Puyol could be available, despite a fractured right cheekbone after returning to training on Tuesday, a day after the team received an extra boost when midfielder Thiago Alcantara trained for the first time since May. Midfielder Alex Song could make his debut after arriving from Arsenal last week.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique downplayed the importance of a victory in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.
"The season couldn't have started any better for us,'' Pique said. "But the Super Cup is separate to the league. It's important to win, but I don't think the title will affect the face of the league.''
Barcelona will clinch its fourth straight Super Cup, and 11th overall, with a victory on Wednesday. Madrid is bidding for its first since 2008, and ninth overall.
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