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![Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Marco Asensio celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Valencia at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 11, 2023. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77PHQFEUSG2Z4UY4HH4Y6KL4WU.jpg?focal=717%2C416&auth=5fa7e82476be99c5636d396943e60a74f2291dac50f62598910c5d52a8e84217&width=400&height=225)
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![Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Marco Asensio celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Valencia at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 11, 2023. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77PHQFEUSG2Z4UY4HH4Y6KL4WU.jpg?focal=717%2C416&auth=5fa7e82476be99c5636d396943e60a74f2291dac50f62598910c5d52a8e84217&width=400&height=225)
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![Valencia's Brazilian forward Samuel Lino celebrates levelling at 1-1. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7TAVKRTITRHFHPGNLD5YCYHA4A.jpg?smart=true&auth=20abaef2b3b952408885610779b180f0a75c0d02aa7142de3176261eecd6ba05&width=400&height=225)
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![Madrid defender Eder Militao battles with Valencia forward Justin Kluivert. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B4D4IV2GERGIQM3KMBOW2VEE44.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a573461e54527620f80c775f77e04dade288a1275bb5d0a89663034de8e6547&width=400&height=225)
![Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid and Edinson Cavani of Valencia embrace after the match. Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EABOIEERP2K5YGDWE74GQJXH7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8cae48474c48c82ea9fcccff3ca7510a56d2869de9ee2c547e326684cec9dbd&width=400&height=225)
Ancelotti claims Real Madrid suffering affects from World Cup despite Super Cup progress
Cup holders, who had 14 players competing at recent global finals, booked place in Riyadh showpiece with shoot-out win against Valencia
![John McAuley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F42fdb821-a1ba-456f-980a-444e78c14d20.png?smart=true&auth=e06a33d0c3a9b91f69d2f6f0423c3e38ec6692b751de87539e969acaa5c3893f&width=70&height=70)
John McAuley
January 12, 2023