Last weekend, Barcelona secured their eighth consecutive win in all competitions with a victory in the Catalan derby. However, manager Hansi Flick noted that the team’s performance was not deserving of a win.
While earning three points is crucial, it’s important to acknowledge that Barcelona was dominated in their matches against Villarreal and Espanyol, with Joan Garcia playing a pivotal role in both games.
As they prepare for the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, the team’s focus should shift from merely securing wins to delivering a performance that they can be proud of.
Their opening match in the competition—a semifinal—will be against Athletic Club, who have struggled offensively this season, recording only one win in their last five matches and coming off a goalless 1-1 draw with Osasuna last weekend.
Here are three key points to consider ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Athletic Club.
A Chance for Glory
The Spanish Super Cup, scheduled for early January, is distinctive for several reasons.
First, it marks the first significant tournament for Barcelona in 2026, testing the team at a crucial midpoint in the season when the squad is fairly attuned. Additionally, it presents an invaluable opportunity to secure the season’s first trophy.
Historically, successful runs in the Spanish Super Cup have correlated with positive outcomes for Barcelona later in the season. The morale boost from winning a trophy at this stage is immense.
As Barcelona approaches the semifinal, every player will surely have one goal in mind: the trophy is merely 180 minutes away.
A victory over Athletic Club would propel Barcelona into the final, bringing them one step closer to a title that could significantly uplift team morale. The squad must be prepared to come out strong.
Advertisement
Reconsidering Tactical Choices
Raphinha’s role as the No. 10 did not yield the desired results against Espanyol. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
In recent months, Hansi Flick has experimented with Raphinha in an attacking midfield position, believing it to be effective on paper.
This positioning theoretically places Raphinha closer to goal, allowing his movements behind the striker to create defensive openings while facilitating Marcus Rashford’s play on the left wing.
However, the execution has not been fruitful, resulting in some of Raphinha’s least impactful performances for Barcelona, with the latest being against Espanyol.
With a trophy now at stake and limited chances for mistake, it’s time for Flick to reconsider this approach and revert to a system that has proven successful for the team recently.
As demonstrated after the substitutions in the Catalan derby, Barcelona performs better with a natural mediapunta such as Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez starting, while Raphinha should return to the left flank and Lamine Yamal take the right.
The choice at center-forward—whether to start Ferran Torres or Robert Lewandowski—will significantly impact the match outcome.
In the last encounter against Athletic Club, Lewandowski scored the opening goal, while Ferran Torres netted twice. The manager’s decision will depend on his tactical plans.
Advertisement
Midfield Conundrum
In the recent derby, Hansi Flick chose to rest Pedri on the bench, anticipating the upcoming hectic schedule. He believed it would be beneficial for the young midfielder to be fresh for crucial matches, and the Spanish Super Cup qualifies as one of those.
It is likely that Pedri will return to the starting lineup as one of the holding midfielders and playmakers. This poses a dilemma for Flick regarding which player to omit.
With Frenkie de Jong and Eric Garcia recently forming the midfield duo, their chemistry has been satisfactory. However, both players tend to excel when partnered with Pedri.
The De Jong-Pedri pairing was a key feature earlier in the season, known for its technical prowess and synergy. In contrast, the Garcia-Pedri combination offered greater defensive stability and work-rate as of late.
As Pedri’s return looms, Flick faces the pivotal decision of whether to drop Garcia or De Jong, a choice that could significantly affect the match’s outcome, given that midfield dominance is crucial for Barcelona’s gameplay.