Athletic Club vs Barcelona Super Cup: A High-Stakes Semi-Final
The Spanish Super Cup semi-final between Athletic Club vs Barcelona promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the final. Set to take place at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on January 8, 2025, this match will see Athletic Club, the Copa del Rey holders, face off against Barcelona, who are chasing their first trophy under manager Hansi Flick16.
The 2025 Spanish Super Cup will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium from January 8 to January 12, 2025.
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) December 31, 2024
⚽ Semi-final 1:
Real Madrid 🆚 Mallorca
📅 Wednesday, January 8, 2025
⏰ 22:00 (Local Time)
📍 King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
⚽… pic.twitter.com/TclRmInigi
Athletic Club enters the game in stellar form, unbeaten in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, Barcelona has struggled recently, slipping to third in La Liga after a dip in form. This clash is not just about silverware but also about momentum and pride14.
Team Form and Key Players
Athletic Club has been a force to reckon with this season. Their unbeaten streak includes notable victories over Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. The Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, along with Alex Berenguer, have been instrumental in their success. Berenguer, in particular, has been a standout performer with his direct style and work ethic15.
On the other hand, Barcelona has faced challenges, losing four of their last seven La Liga matches. However, they still boast a formidable lineup, with Robert Lewandowski leading the attack and Pedri orchestrating the midfield. The return of Lamine Yamal from injury adds depth to their squad15.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
Historically, Barcelona has dominated this fixture, winning 51 of the 81 encounters between the two sides. However, Athletic Club has shown resilience, notably defeating Barcelona in the 2021 Super Cup final. Their recent Copa del Rey clash in January 2024 saw Athletic Club triumph 4-2, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this match36.
Predicted Lineups
Athletic Club:
Unai Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta.
Barcelona:
Inaki Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal; Lewandowski.
Match Prediction
This game is expected to be tightly contested. Athletic Club’s unbeaten run and home advantage make them a formidable opponent. However, Barcelona’s quality and experience in high-stakes matches could tip the scales in their favor.
Prediction: Athletic Club 1-2 Barcelona
