Repeat Super Cup success will give Barca ‘energy’: Flick

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said retaining the Spanish Super Cup this week would boost his team’s other ambitions this season.

The record 15-time champions will face Athletic Bilbao in a semi-final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.

Barca won the league last season as the first part of a domestic treble, their first victory during Flick’s reign, followed by victories in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

“This tournament is a bit different (than the equivalent competition) in Germany, but I like it,” said former Bayern Munich coach Flick.

“Winning the Super Cup (last season) has given us a lot of energy for the rest of the season, and this is what we want this year.”

Even though key questions remain around the defence, Barcelona are the favorites to win the Super Cup and lead La Liga after nine consecutive top-flight victories.

READ ALSO: Mbappe will miss Real Madrid’s Super Cup semi-final against rivals Atletico

Despite being defeated by neighbors Espanyol in a thrilling derby clash on Saturday, late goals and a sensational performance from stopper Joan Garcia helped the Catalans to a 2-0 win.

Flick stressed that his team must perform better at the back if they want to succeed in the sixth edition of the tournament in Saudi Arabia.

«It won’t be an easy game (if) we make the same mistakes we made on Saturday. It won’t be easy, so we have to work on our things,» Flick continued.

“We have to play much better in defense, we have to play together as one team and that is what I missed on Saturday, so we have to make things much better.”

Cancel incoming

Centre-back Ronald Araujo could return to action this week after an extended mental health break.

The Uruguayan was given around a month’s leave after receiving a red card in Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea in November.

“We’ll see this training (session) today, and I want to talk to him too, so we haven’t decided yet how we’re going to do it tomorrow,” Flick said.

“I think it will take time, so if he feels ready for tomorrow we may be able to change something, but at the moment it is not our plan to do so.”

Flick confirmed that Barcelona are close to signing Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal until the end of the season, but the deal has not yet been completed.

“With Joao, maybe he can also give us more options at full-back, both sides in attack, good quality, but (as far as) I know it’s not done yet,” Flick said.

Cancelo was loaned to Barcelona by Manchester City for the 2023/24 season.

Athletic, eighth in La Liga, last won the Super Cup in 2021, beating Barcelona in the final and have lifted the trophy three times.

Only the Catalans and Real Madrid have a better record with thirteen wins. Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid will take on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the other Super Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Published on January 6, 2026