Spanish Super Cup success could energise Barcelona’s season
Hansi Flick has led Barcelona to the Spanish league title in his first season in charge, while also securing the Spanish Super Cup
The record 15-time winners face Athletic in the semifinal at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Barcelona lifted the trophy last season as the first step toward a domestic treble under Flick, later going on to win La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Flick, formerly of Bayern Munich, acknowledged differences between the Spanish Super Cup and its German equivalent but said the competition holds significant value.
“Winning the Super Cup last season gave us a lot of energy for the remainder of the year, and that is what we are aiming for again,” he said.
Despite ongoing concerns over their defensive stability, Barcelona enter the tournament as favourites. They currently top La Liga after securing nine consecutive league victories.
However, their most recent outing raised alarms. Although Barcelona defeated city rivals Espanyol 2-0 in a tense derby on Saturday, they were largely outplayed and relied on late goals and an outstanding display from goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Flick admitted his side must improve defensively if they are to succeed in Saudi Arabia.
“If we repeat the same mistakes we made on Saturday, it will be very difficult,” he warned. “We have to defend better, stay compact as a team, and play more connected. That was missing in our last match.”
Barcelona could also receive a boost with Ronald Araujo nearing a return. The Uruguayan centre-back has been absent for nearly a month after taking a mental health break following a red card in Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea in November.
“We will assess him in training and speak with him,” Flick said. “If he feels ready, we may consider changes, but at the moment it is not part of the plan.”
On the transfer front, Flick confirmed Barcelona are close to finalising a deal for Joao Cancelo, currently on loan at Al-Hilal, though the move has not yet been completed.
“Cancelo would give us more options at full-back on both sides, especially in attack, but as far as I know, the deal is not done,” Flick explained.
Cancelo previously spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester City.
Athletic Bilbao, currently eighth in La Liga, last won the Spanish Super Cup in 2021 after defeating Barcelona in the final. They have claimed the trophy three times, while only Barcelona and Real Madrid—who have won it 13 times—boast superior records.
In the other semifinal on Thursday, Real Madrid, coached by Xabi Alonso, will face city rivals Atletico Madrid.
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