ARTA – Athletic Bilbao will face Barcelona in the semi-final of the 2022 Spanish Super Cup which will take place in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday January 8. Athletic came in as Copa del Rey champions, while Barcelona have the right to show off thanks to their second-place finish in La Liga last season.
hletic Bilbao appeared in form four of the Spanish Super Cup for the third time after winning the Copa del Rey last season. Los Leones ended their 40th year wait with victory against Alagoas in last April’s final.
Ernesto Valentina is in an impressive unbeaten performance in the last 15 matches in all competitions, including six wins and four games in 10 La Liga matches. Currently, they are ranked fourth, just two points behind Barcelona in third place.
However, Athletic faced a tough test in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey against four division side Logrones. After playing scoreless for 120 minutes, Athletic finally won with a penalty game.
elling a dramatic victory over Barcelona in the long run in last season’s Copa del Rey, Athletic have never beaten the Blaugrana in normal time since a 1-0 victory in February 2020.
Barcelona, like Athletic, also started the Copa del Rey with an easy 4-0 victory over four-division side Barbastro. Robert Lewandowski scored two goals, while Eric Garcia and Pablo Bundes each scored one goal.
However, the Blaugrana are struggling to find consistency. After a brilliant start to the season with 11 wins in 12 La Liga matches, their performances have declined considerably, winning only once in the last seven league matches (D2, L4). As a result, Barcelona are now in third position, three points behind Atletico Madrid and five points behind Real Madrid.
Hoping to end the league title drought, Hansi Flick wants to get his team on their feet, starting with the semi-finals of this Super Cup. Barcelona have a good record in this competition, having qualified for the last two editions and will be seeking their 15th title.
-Unemployed Ernesto Valeta will likely return the team after giving plate players time to play against Logrones. Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian and Yuri Berchiche are expected to return to the starting XI.
Prados and Mikel Mayregizar could be options in the central line, while Nico Williams and Inaki Williams should fill in on their wings to support Guruzeta in the attacking line.
Barcelona encountered obstacles with the registration of players Dani Olmo and François Victor, although both remained in the team taken to Saudi Arabia. Andreas Christensen and Hector Fort have recovered from injuries, but Ferran Torres is believed to have appeared.
in Yamal, who recently recovered from an ankle injury, will likely only play from the bench. Flick is expected to field several core players such as Inaki Pena, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Raphinha from the start of the match.
hletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Márregizar, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta.
ar – Barcelone (4-2-3-1): Penalty; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Fermin; Lewandowski.
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