FC Barcelona vs. FC Porto: Who Will Win the UEFA Super Cup?

FC Barcelona will face FC Porto for the UEFA Super Cup final in Monaco on August 26, 2011. I have decided to hold a round-table discussion with fellow BR Writers Jo-Ryan Salazar and Soccer Convert.

The question posed was the following: Who will win the UEFA Super Cup and why? While I would have preferred more people, a round-table discussion with three people is better than none.

Jo-Ryan Salazar:

It will be FC Barcelona. Porto does not have the firepower that Barça has. Plain and simple. 3-1 FCB. 

Soccer Convert:

Clearly, Barcelona will be heavily favored in this match, but then again, in what match in the past two years have they not be heavily favored.

Barcelona will win going away for five simple reasons:

1) The loss of Colombian striker Radamel Falcao to Athletico Madrid.

2) Even worse, the loss of skipper Andre Villa-Boas to Chelsea.

3) Depth—Barcelona has a wealth of depth and can run out reserve players and still claim victory.

4) Cesc Fabregas is hungry for more silverware after tasting victory in Spanish Super Cup

5) Lionel Messi is the best player on the planet and he plays for FC Barcelona.

 

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso:

I agree with Soccer Convert and Jo-Ryan Salazar on their reasons. I would like to add my reasons in favor of a victory by FC Barcelona, although it may be subject to change.

1. FC Barcelona has won the UEFA Super Cup three times.

2. Barca is second in the UEFA Rankings for 2011-2012.

3. FC Porto has won the UEFA Super Cup once.

4. FC Porto is seventh in the 2011-2012 UEFA Rankings.

5. FC Barcelona appears to be organized and consistent in its play.

I managed to see part of the organization and consistency during the match between Barca and Chivas of Guadalajara in Miami Florida. I saw it in spite of the defeat of Barca to Chivas of Guadalajara.

My thanks to Jo-Ryan Salazar and Soccer Convert for accepting my invitation and participating in this round-table discussion. My best wishes to them as well as the readers and staff at Bleacher Report.