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Barcelona begin the defense of their Spanish Super Cup crown on Wednesday against Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said retaining the Spanish Super Cup this week would be a boost to his side’s other ambitions this season.
The record 15-time champions will face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in the semi-final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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Barca won the competition last season as the first part of a domestic treble, the first triumph of Flick’s reign, followed by triumphs in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
“This tournament is a little different [to the equivalent competition] in Germany, but I like it,” said Flick, former Bayern Munich coach.
“So that we win the Super Cup [last season] gave us a lot of energy for the rest of the season, and that’s what we want this year too.
Although major questions remain over their defense, Barcelona are the favorites to win the Super Cup and lead La Liga after nine consecutive victories in the top division.
Although they were outplayed by neighbors Espanyol in a tense derby on Saturday, late goals and a sensational performance from stopper Joan Garcia helped the Catalans secure a 2-0 victory.
Flick insisted his team needed to perform better in defense if they were to succeed in the sixth edition of the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
“It will not be an easy match [if] we are making the same mistakes as Saturday; it won’t be easy, so we have to work on our stuff,” Flick continued.
“We need to play a lot better defense; we need to play together as one team, and that’s what I missed on Saturday, so we need to improve things.”
Barcelona target Cancelo could leave Saudi Arabia
Central defender Ronald Araujo could return to action this week after a long break due to mental health reasons.
The Uruguayan was given around a month’s leave after receiving a red card in Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea in November.
“We will see this formation [session] today, and I would also like to talk to him, so we haven’t decided how to do it tomorrow,” Flick said.
“I think it takes time, so if he feels ready for tomorrow, maybe we’ll change something, but right now it’s not our plan to do that.”
Flick has confirmed that Barcelona were close to signing Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal on loan until the end of the season, but the deal was not completed.
“With Joao, maybe he can give us more options also as a full-back, on both sides in attack, good quality, but [as far as] I know, it’s not done,” Flick said.
Cancelo spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester City.
Athletic, eighth in La Liga, last won the Super Cup in 2021, beating Barcelona in the final, and have lifted the trophy three times.
Only the Catalans and Real Madrid, with 13 triumphs, have a better record. On Thursday, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will face rivals Atletico Madrid in the other Super Cup semi-final.
