The Spanish Super Cup gets underway this Wednesday at Al Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah, where defending champions Barcelona face Athletic Club in the first semifinal. The match opens the first major title race of the year and brings together two traditional powerhouses of Spanish soccer with contrasting momentum.

Managed by Hansi Flick, Barcelona arrive as the most in-form team among the four contenders. Leaders in LaLiga, the Catalan side are enjoying a strong run, with eight wins in their most recent matches and just one loss in their last 13 appearances across all competitions. With 15 Super Cup titles, Barcelona are the most successful club in the tournament’s history, ahead of Real Madrid and Athletic Club.

Barcelona’s Form and Flick’s Key Decisions

The Blaugrana traveled to Saudi Arabia with limited absences. Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain sidelined due to injury, while the main positive news is the return of Ronald Araujo, who is back with the squad after several weeks away. Flick made it clear that the Uruguayan defender’s involvement will depend on how he feels physically.

In attack, the German coach has several options at his disposal. Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Fermín López are all candidates to start after making an impact in the most recent league victory. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal is expected to play a key role on the wing, providing pace and creativity against the Athletic defense.

Athletic Club Aim to Pull Off an Upset

On the other side, Athletic Club arrive with questions following an uneven stretch in LaLiga, having collected just one point from their last three matches. Ernesto Valverde’s side is also dealing with significant defensive absences, including Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche, which could influence their tactical approach.

Even so, the Basque club will rely heavily on the attacking quality of Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Oihan Sancet, who are expected to shoulder the offensive responsibility. In goal, the matchup between Joan García and Unai Simón stands out as one of the most intriguing battles of the semifinal.

With recent head-to-head history favoring Barcelona, but an Athletic Club side determined to respond, the semifinal promises intensity, urgency, and a place in the final on the line.

Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
Venue: Al Jawhara Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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