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Barcelona have had their ups and downs this season, periods of exuberance and others of anguish, but they have largely stuck to playing good football.
Playing style has never been an issue with Hansi Flick and fatigue has been the only drawback that has left them exposed at times.
Right now, however, the locker room is just 90 minutes away from their first trophy of the season and all they have to do to get it is precisely what they have done all season: play good football.
The first Classic of the season was practically a triumph for Barcelona, who defeated Real Madrid with four goals at the Santiago Bernabéu. This time, however, the Meringues They are in much better shape and will pose a much bigger threat than last time.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup.
New familiar faces
Barcelona entered the new year with the club in a frenzy over the registration situation. After all, they faced the real threat of both Pau Víctor and Dani Olmo being released for the second half of the season and potentially even leaving as free agents.
A huge wave of celebration swept through the locker room just before the Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club, as the club obtained special permission to register the duo.
Olmo and Víctor did not play against the Basque team in midweek but are now available for selection in what is a big boost for Hansi Flick.
The most important thing is that the development represents a great boost for the players themselves, who not long ago witnessed certain departures from the club.
However, with the new solution a new dilemma arises for Hansi Flick, who will not be clear about who to start in the attacking midfield, especially the Olmo side.
Pedri and Marc Casado are undisputed starters for the German coach, as are the three forwards formed by Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. Therefore, there is only one position left in midfield and there is no room for a change in formation.
Olmo makes a strong case to start given the impact he has had on the team this season and the versatility he brings. However, competing with him is Gavi, who collected a goal and an assist in the semi-final and was the best player of the match by far.
Who will Flick choose to start in the important match against Real Madrid? It is a good but serious problem that the coach must solve.
Will Happy start?
Iñaki Peña didn’t give Hansi Flick much reason to take him out of the lineup at any point this season, but at the same time he didn’t do anything extravagant to establish himself as the undisputed starter.
However, the Spaniard, who arrived late for a session prior to the semi-final in Saudi Arabia, lost his starting place against Athletic Club to Wojciech Szczesny and the Polish star left the coach with a serious doubt after the victory.
Szczesny was phenomenal in Barcelona’s victory over Ernesto Valverde’s side, impressing in several facets of his game and making a strong case for greater prominence in the blaugrana plans.
The veteran star excelled with his 1-on-1 shot stops, was good with his distribution and made an astonishing five saves in the semifinal. He stood out when the team needed him to step up under pressure and he did so with authority.
Addressing a Classic In the end, Szczesny throws Flick into a serious conundrum over who to start in the high-stakes game.
Ideally, Peña would start after serving his punishment for arriving late, but the quality of his rival could well have surpassed him on this occasion.
Given that the team’s first trophy is at stake and the Polish goalkeeper started in the first match of the competition, Szczesny could well be Flick’s starter against Real Madrid.
Rest assured, a good performance tomorrow could change the dynamics of Barcelona’s goalkeepers for the rest of the season.
A much needed trophy
Barcelona have been doing a lot of things right this season and have looked good even on the nights that didn’t go their way.
Therefore, there is a lot of positivity for the locker room to hold on to at the end of the season and a sense of confidence that they are here to compete at the highest level.
However, there is nothing in sport that motivates more than silverware and blaugrana The locker room has never been in dire need of validation.
After a trophyless season last time out, Barcelona’s young team could really use the peace of mind that a piece of silverware brings. A win on Sunday could take their confidence to a whole new level and reinforce the fact that they are on the right path.
Adding the fact that they can do it by beating their archrivals will only fuel the fire in the team.
Sunday’s final will be more than just a Classic. It will be closer than before and tested to the limits, as the winner will take home not only bragging rights but also the tag of champion.
