Barcelona coach Hansi Flick goals to seize the primary silverware of his tenure this week within the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, however the ongoing Dani Olmo registration saga looms massive.
Real Madrid, the defending Spanish and European champions, are favorites to retain their title after thrashing Barcelona 4-1 in final season’s closing.
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao, nevertheless, will problem Barcelona in Wednesday’s first semifinal, wanting to win their first Super Cup since 2021.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid face Real Mallorca in Thursday’s second semi, with the ultimate set for Sunday on the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah.
Amid the thrill, Barcelona’s squad faces a headache.
The membership included Olmo, their marquee summer time signing, and younger ahead Pau Victor of their touring get together, however each gamers are unavailable as a consequence of ongoing registration points.
Until the Spanish Sports Court (CSD) guidelines in any other case, neither participant can compete this season.
Barcelona is taking their case to the CSD after a number of makes an attempt to resume the duo’s licenses had been rejected by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation.
Olmo and Victor got short-term licenses to assist Barcelona navigate La Liga’s monetary restrictions, although the membership’s current struggles to register gamers have clouded their Super Cup preparations.
Adding to the strain, defender Ronald Araujo returns from damage however stays cautious of the scenario.
“It’s left a bad taste because they are our teammates,” he mentioned. “We hope the club can resolve the issue.”
Barcelona’s La Liga kind has been rocky; a promising begin gave approach to a sequence of poor outcomes, leaving them third within the desk.
A small victory, even within the type of a minor trophy, may present much-needed morale for a crew trying to bounce again.
Flick, nevertheless, is optimistic, with teenager Lamine Yamal anticipated to get well from an ankle damage in time to characteristic in Saudi Arabia.
Despite their struggles, Barcelona are not any strangers to success within the Spanish Super Cup.
The Catalan giants have received 14 titles within the competitors’s four-team format, with their final victory coming in 2023 in opposition to Real Madrid.
Madrid, who received the primary such Super Cup in 2020, path Barcelona by one title.
In distinction, Ancelotti’s Madrid are at the moment on an upswing, having moved into first place in La Liga after a shaky begin.
Kylian Mbappe’s adjustment to the crew, coupled with the good type of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, has made Madrid the crew to beat.
Vinicius, suspended for his purple card in Friday’s win over Valencia, is predicted to characteristic, although a doable league ban may complicate his match participation.
On Wednesday, Athletic Bilbao purpose to increase their robust kind into the Super Cup.
The Copa del Rey champions have gone unbeaten of their final 15 aggressive matches, together with a 4-0 Copa win over Logrones, however their conflict with Barcelona might be their hardest check since their final victory over the Blaugrana in 2020.
Barcelona had a neater time within the Copa del Rey, defeating fourth-tier Barbastro 4-0 with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice.
However, the poor run of kind in La Liga left them third within the standings, trailing Madrid by 5 factors.
A win within the Super Cup would give them a much-needed enhance forward of a Jan. 18 conflict with Getafe.
Changes are anticipated on either side. Flick will seemingly rotate his squad, bringing in gamers like Inaki Pena, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Raphinha.
Athletic Bilbao may even make changes, with Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, and Yuri Berchiche anticipated to start out.
Mikel Jauregizar and Benat Prados could be part of the midfield, whereas Nico and Inaki Williams are set to return to the assault.
Source: www.dailysabah.com