Overview
Barcelona returned from the winter break with a comfortable 4-0 win over Barbastro in the Copa del Rey. This victory will be a major boost for coach Hansi Flick's team. Before that, they had gone 3 consecutive matches without a win in La Liga and were surpassed in the rankings by the two Madrid teams.
Blaugrana's mentality may be affected to some extent, revolving around the future of Dani Olmo. The fact that the Spaniard cannot register to play in the second phase will make Barca's gameplay difficult. In the first leg, Olmo contributed 6 goals and 1 assist after 15 matches for the Catalan team.
The last time Barca won the Spanish Super Cup was in 2023. Last season, they also reached the final but lost 1-4 to Real Madrid.
On the other side of the front line, Athletic Bilbao had a less than impressive return after the winter break. They had to rely on a penalty shootout to defeat Logrones. However, overall, Athletic Bilbao's form in the final period of 2024 was much better than Barcelona's. The Basque team is on a 15-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
With a more stable performance, Athletic Bilbao has a great chance to overcome Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup. However, Barca still has a squad with players that are considered better than their opponents.
In terms of head-to-head record, Athletic Bilbao is inferior to Barca. They have not won against Barca in the last 14 matches in all competitions, including 9 losses. In the first leg this season, Bilbao also lost to Blaugrana with a score of 1-2.
Human resources situation
Athletic Bilbao will be without three players for this match, including Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Oihan Sancet and Yeray Alvarez.
On the other side of the front line, Barcelona have two players with anterior cruciate ligament injuries: Marc Bernal and Ter Stegen. Meanwhile, Olmo and Pau Victor are also out because they are not registered, but Lamine Yamal will return.
Expected lineup:
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche, Jauregizar, Prados, I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams, Guruzeta.
Barcelona: Pena, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde, Casado, Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Lopez, Lewandowski.
The match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona takes place at 2:00 a.m. on January 9 (Vietnam time).
