Success in Saudi-hosted Spanish Super Cup win will give Barcelona ‘energy’

Barcelona begin the defence of their Spanish Super Cup crown against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia.Published On 6 Jan 2026Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said that retaining the Spanish Super Cup this week would be a boost for his team’s other ambitions this season.The record 15-time champions face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in a semifinal clash at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Dramatic late Algeria winner sets up Nigeria quarterfinal at 2025 AFCONlist 2 of 4‘Great fitness’: Sabalenka says ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match paid offlist 3 of 4NBA: Durant’s 3-pointer in final seconds helps Rockets beat the Sunslist 4 of 4Bangladesh bans IPL broadcast amid growing tensions with Indiaend of listBarca won the competition last season as the first part of a domestic treble, the first triumph of Flick’s reign, followed by triumphs in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.“This tournament is a little bit different [to the equivalent competition] in Germany, but I like it,” said former Bayern Munich coach Flick.“For us to win the Super Cup [last season] gave us a lot of energy for the rest of the season, and this is also what we want this year.”Even though significant questions remain about their defending, Barcelona are the favourites to win the Super Cup and lead La Liga after nine consecutive top flight victories.Despite being outplayed by neighbours Espanyol in a tense derby clash on Saturday, late goals and a sensational performance from stopper Joan Garcia helped the Catalans claim a 2-0 victory.Flick insisted his team had to perform better at the back if they were to succeed in the sixth edition of the tournament in Saudi Arabia.“It will not be an easy match [if] we make the same mistakes as on Saturday; it will not be easy, so we have to work on our things,” continued Flick.“We have to play much better in the defence; we have to play connected as one team, and this is what I missed on Saturday, so we have to make things much better.”