Barcelona is ready to face Athletic Club in the Supercopa de España semi-finals. This is a golden opportunity for the team to get their first silverware of the season under Hansi Flick.
The Road to the Supercopa
The brackets for this year’s showdown are set, with Barcelona facing Atheltic Club in the first semi-final. The second semi-final will see Real Madrid take on RCD Mallorca. These matchups have been a result of last season’s performances, with Barcelona and Real Madrid representing the top two finishers in La Liga and Athletic Club and Mallorca as the Copa del Rey finalists.
The path to the final is clear for Barcelona, they need to get the job done against Athletic Bilbao to face the winner of the second semi-final in the final to grab the trophy.
The Squad Travelling
Hansi Flick has called up the 28-men-squad, with the inclusion of several surprises. Among the surprises are Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, who have been on the front pages of the news cover in recent weeks. Both players await a decision on their licenses after Barca’s request was denied by the RFEF and La Liga. Additionally, Lamine Yamal and Héctor Fort make a return to the squad after receiving the medical green light from the staff.
The complete list of 28 players that will be representing FC Barcelona at the four-team tournament is as follows: Cubarsí, Balde, R. Araujo, I. Martinez, Gavi, Ferran, Pedri, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Iñaki Peña, Pablo Torre, Christensen, Fermín, M. Casadó, Pau Víctor, Lamine Yamal, Olmo, F. De Jong, Kounde, Eric, Szczęsny, Astralaga, Bernal, H. Fort, Gerard Martín, S. Domínguez, and A. Fernández. Credits: FC Barcelona
Key Players to Watch
Many players within the squad are in great form, despite the poor team performances in La Liga. The ones to keep an eye on are Pedri, Cubarsí, and Raphinha.
These players have been crucial this season and their contributions will be key to the team’s success in the Supercopa. Pedri is in exceptional form lately, showcasing his creativity and vision. Barcelona will need his brilliance to unlock Bilbao’s defense and drive the team forward in this competition.
Cubarsí’s solidity at the back and Raphinha’s dynamic attacking play will also be key to go all the way and claim the title.
Can Barcelona Win?
In my opinion, Barcelona has all the qualities a team needs to win this competition. With a squad filled with talent and under Hansi Flick’s guidance, the team has the potential to bring their “A” game to lift the trophy.
The possibility of an El Clásico adds an extra layer of drama and excitement for the fans, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid likely to be highly motivated.
Barcelona must approach this competition with a winning mentality, especially after a dip in form in recent matches. Winning the Supercopa could boost team’s morale, putting them in a strong position for the remainder of the season. This could be a step to do well in La Liga and strengthen Barcelona’s chances in the Champions League. This is a chance to tone a season full of potential.