There will be no extra time if a match ends in a draw after regular time, according to a major change brought about by the Supercopa, which begins on Wednesday in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Rather, a penalty shootout will be used to decide the winner, with the goal being to reduce the players’ playing time.
After numerous players and coaches complained about the overabundance of games and tournaments during the season, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which oversees the Supercopa, agreed to this action last October for both the men’s and women’s events.
If Barcelona and Athletic are tied after 90 minutes, this new regulation will go into effect this Wednesday during the first semifinal.
There won’t be a match for third place in the final on Sunday or the second semifinal, which features Real Madrid and Mallorca tomorrow.
This new system prevents a rerun of the previous tournament’s scenario, in which the top four teams from the previous season competed against Real Madrid and Atletico in extra time during the first semifinal staged in Saudi Arabia.
As demonstrated in 2023 when Manchester City and Sevilla ended their match in penalties following a 1-1 draw, the rule banning extra time is already in effect in the UEFA Supercup.
The Copa América follows the same regulation, allowing extra time only in the final if needed and not in the quarterfinals or semifinals.
Ernesto Valverde, the head coach of Athletic Club, praised the decision to eliminate extra time, emphasizing its advantages in lessening players’ physical strain while downplaying its possible effects on game dynamics and results.
“It’s feasible in the final moments. Which team controls the game or is more experienced will determine this. “I don’t think it will have much of an impact overall,” Valverde said during a press conference yesterday, Tuesday, prior to the semifinal matchup with Barcelona.
Pablo Ortells, the director of football at Mallorca, had this opinion: “You believe that you must attempt to win in ninety minutes. It has little effect on us.
