Real Madrid 'out-passed' Barcelona last night, but could only draw 2-2 in the first-leg of their Super Copa clash.
A surprise saw Real adopt the role of the cultivated passing side out of the two, opening the scoring through Mesut Ozil and then levelling through Xavi Alonso.
In between times, Barcelona occupied the smash-and-grab style often used by Madrid last season, with David Villa and Lionel Messi netting.
Real's shift in style could well be traced back to the accusations thrown at them last season when, after they were crushed in the league and the Champions League by Barcelona, they were accused of being unable to live with their Catalan rivals.
The spirit of the game was sorely tested when both Real's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona winger Pedro appealed for penalties, but tempers cooled enough for the game to end level heading into Wednesday's second leg.
