Hansi Flick is on the brink of his first major match, one that could see him clinch his inaugural title as Barcelona manager. The responsibility is immense, but as he stated in the press conference leading up to yet another classic showdown in Saudi Arabia—a new final of the Supercopa de España—he has already played numerous finals throughout his coaching career. Thus, he is more than equipped for the challenge, and this new test does not come with added pressure.
Clear Ideas. What Flick values is having all his players available, and once that scenario is achieved—a situation that is becoming increasingly complex at Barça—he can choose those he believes are most prepared and ready to assist the team. He demonstrated this in the semifinal against Athletic when he opted for Toni Fernández over Ansu Fati. The German shows no hesitation. For that same reason, he will decide who will guard the goal against Real Madrid. Iñaki Peña was supposed to play in the semifinals, but he arrived late to the activation session, allowing Szczesny to take his place. The Polish goalie seized the opportunity and, despite a couple of shaky exits that caused some concern, he was effective.
Read more:
Arturo Vidal Taunts Real Madrid After Barcelona’s Stunning 5-2 Victory
Flick faces a tough dilemma as Iñaki Peña has proven he is ready for big challenges, particularly after his standout performance in the 4-0 victory against Ancelotti’s side at the Santiago Bernabéu during the league encounter in the first half of the season. Logically, one would expect the Alicante native to return to goal after being sidelined in favor of a substitute role against Athletic, but ultimately, the final decision rests with Hansi.
Another, albeit smaller, mystery revolves around who will take the attacking midfield role. Gavi’s stellar performance against Athletic places him in prime position for that spot. He scored and provided an assist, confirming that he thrives in the Super League, as evidenced in 2023 when he notched a goal and two assists in the final victory for Barça against Real Madrid (3-1).
The rest of the eleven appears fairly straightforward unless Flick decides to spring a surprise on Carlo Ancelotti. In that respect, Kounde, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, and Balde will form the defense, while Casadó and Pedri are guaranteed their spots, along with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski. The cards are now on the table.
