After a terrible end to 2024, Barcelona have opened the new year on a positive note and could win their first trophy of the Hansi Flick era this weekend.
Flick’s Barca flew to the Middle East for the four-team Spanish Super Cup and are involved in Sunday’s final after beating Athletic Club 2-0 on Wednesday night.
La Blaugrana will have the advantage over familiar opposition in the top event of the competition played the night before Real Madrid beat Mallorca 3-0, but will be aware that they are looking for revenge against a Los Blancos side given what happened in the Spanish capital on October 26.
Flick’s squad has become healthier to start 2025, but it is unlikely that there will be much change from their semi-final triumph. This is the team the German could pick for Sunday’s final.
GK: Inaki Pena – Barcelona’s injury problems have eased, but number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still sidelined. Pena will get the nod again.
RB: Jules Kounde – Madrid’s fluidity in attack means Kounde will see a few faces in his side on Sunday, but the Frenchman has the tools to avoid any superstar trying to overwhelm him.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – Recent reports indicate that Flick is looking to build his defense around the teenager, s captain Ronald Araujo linked to departure.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Araujo is back from injury but Barcelona’s impressive centre-back pairing will not be broken up this weekend after keeping a clean sheet in Wednesday’s semi-final win.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The young left-back has struggled to replicate the heights of his first year – injuries haven’t helped in that regard – but Balde offered plenty of guile and attacking verve against Athletic Club. He is arguably Barca’s leading option in that position.
CM: Marc Casado – La Masia’s last shining light has been utterly superb this season, and Frenkie de Jong can’t make the team because of it. He will partner his compatriot at the base of the midfield in an attempt to tame Jude Bellingham and co.
CM: Pedri – The football world is a better place when Pedri is injury-free and playing at his peak. He and Casado established a joyful dynamic in Flick’s midfield.
RM: Lamine Yamal – The teenager should be relatively fresh for Sunday’s final after playing an hour against Athletico after scoring Barca’s second goal. Yamal crushed Madrid in the October Clasico.
AM: Gavi – Flick’s brought back Gavi following his return from a long-term knee injury and he produced his best performance of the season in Wednesday’s semi-final in a more advanced role. Without Dani Olmo. the diminutive Spaniard should continue in the same role.
LM: Raphinha – The Brazilian has enjoyed a stellar goal-scoring season but was hugely wasted on Wednesday night. Flick will be hoping his back-up captain hasn’t abandoned his scoring boots in 2024.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski he was also guilty of wasting chances against Athletic, but he tends to show up in this game. The Pole has ten goals in 16 games against Madrid, four of which came during his memorable Borussia Dortmund spell.
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