Barcelona, Madrid ready for Spanish curtain-raiser

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés said it was time for his side to put their recent successes behind them and look forward to "new challenges", as the Liga champions prepared for a trip to rivals Real Madrid CF in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.

Josep Guardiola's team enjoyed a 2-0 UEFA Champions League semi-final triumph on their last visit to the Santiago Bernabéu in April and they will be hoping for a similar outcome this time as they chase a tenth Supercopa. Despite renewing rivalries with José Mourinho's squad – whom Barcelona encountered five times last term − Valdés insisted the Blaugrana would be eagerly awaiting Sunday's season curtain-raiser whatever the opposition.

"The Super Cup is special regardless of who you play," the 29-year-old said. "We see it as a vital trophy that we want to win. It's the first trophy on offer this season and obviously we want it. We can't live off the memories [of last season]. It's time to turn the page, to face new challenges and to raise our sights looking forward."

Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, said the Super Cup holders were fully focused on the task at hand despite their delayed start to pre-season following their UEFA Champions League winning exploits. "This is a Clásico in which there is a title on the line, it makes no difference what [physical] state each individual player arrives in," the midfielder said. "I've seen Leo [Lionel Messi] and it looks like he hasn't been on holiday. He's in perfect shape."

The Catalan outfit – who will also contest the UEFA Super Cup against FC Porto on 26 August – have injury worries over Sergio Busquets (bruised rib) and Gerard Piqué (hamstring), though new signing Alexis Sánchez is expected to feature following the winger's reported €26m move from Udinese Calcio.

For their part, Madrid have added Nuri Şahin, Hamit Altıntop, José Callejón, Raphael Varane and Fábio Coentrão to the ranks during a busy summer, yet it is established striker Karim Benzema who has been receiving the pre-season plaudits. The French international has scored eight goals as last season's Copa del Rey winners – they overcame Barcelona after extra time in Valencia – warmed up for the forthcoming campaign and he predicted a big nine months for Mourinho's men.

"We have prepared well as a group and we feel we are going to challenge on every front," the former Olympique Lyonnais forward said. "I believe we will have a great season while on a personal front [after two years in Madrid] I now feel like one of the veterans here."

Madrid have fitness doubts over Sergio Ramos, Hamit (both back), Sahin (knee) and Esteban Granero (muscular bruising). The Merengues last lifted the Super Cup in 2008 and will be attempting to inflict a first defeat on Guardiola at the Santiago Bernabéu ahead of Wednesday's second leg.