17 August,2011 09:06 AM IST | | PA Sport
Striker Karim Benzema is confident Real Madrid can strike the first blow of the season against fierce rivals Barcelona and win the Spanish Supercopa at the Nou Camp tonight.
Madrid head to Catalonia for the second leg knowing they will most probably need to beat their rivals after being held to a 2-2 home draw on Sunday.
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (right) celebrates a goal with Pepe during
a pre-season friendly in China. PIC/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho's side were, however, the dominant team on their home turf as Barca were cast into an unfamiliar role of playing on the break.
That tactic almost worked with David Villa and Lionel Messi netting after Mesut Ozil's opener, but Xabi Alonso claimed a deserved equaliser for Madrid to enthuse Benzema.
"This is a title that you want to win and the first leg leaves us with plenty of optimism," the France international told AS.
"It was a very enjoyable game and I think the fans would have liked what they saw on the pitch.
"Two great teams did battle but in all honesty I think Madrid clearly deserved to win.
"Many things have changed from last season. We had a monopoly on possession and we did not let them play.
"We now know that we are more than capable of winning tomorrow and lifting the Supercopa."
