Barcelona look to win their first piece of silverware of the season because the Catalans journey to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Spanish Super Cup, and their first problem is a semi-final against historic rivals Athletic Club.
The Blaugrana have gained their final eight video games in all competitions and are coming off an enormous win within the derby against Espanyol, and will be going through a gifted however inconsistent Athletic facet as they attempt to e book a spot in Sunday’s ultimate against Real or Atlético Madrid.
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Here’s how we predict Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Wednesday’s battle:
Defense
Flick has a reasonably wholesome squad for the time being after the vacation break, so the coach can afford to make one or two modifications whereas nonetheless selecting a really robust staff for this one.
There is a few doubt concerning the goalkeeper spot given it is a Cup competitors, however Flick went along with his primary from final season, Wojciech Szczesny, because the starter within the Super Cup over Iñaki Peña final 12 months, so we predict he’ll keep on with Joan Garcia in aim forward of Szczesny and Marc-André ter Stegen.
Gerard Martín struggled against Espanyol after one other powerful outing against Villarreal within the final recreation of 2025, so it may be a good suggestion to provide him a relaxation and begin Eric Garcia alongside Pau Cubarsí at center-back, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde retaining their spots at full-back.
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Midfield
If Eric does begin at center-back, we will lastly see the reunion of the Frenkie de Jong and Pedri double pivot, with each having wonderful performances against Espanyol on the weekend. Another midfielder who had a giant night time at Cornellà was Fermín López, and we predict Flick will reward his star flip on the weekend with a begin on this one.
Attack
Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford struggled against Espanyol, and we predict each will be on the bench for this one as Robert Lewandowski will return to the beginning striker spot and Raphinha will begin in his more practical function as a left winger. Lamine Yamal, who dominated Athletic in final 12 months’s Super Cup semi-final, will begin on the precise searching for one other huge night time against the Basques.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you suppose Barcelona ought to line up against Athletic? Let us know your ideas, predictions and groups within the feedback under!