Hansi Flick Barcelona Spanish Super Cup 2026: Pursuit of Back-to-Back Glory

Can a single mid-season trophy ignite a team's path to a quadruple? Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes retaining the Spanish Super Cup this week will provide the essential energy boost his squad needs. The record 15-time champions are set to face Athletic Bilbao in a high-stakes semifinal on Wednesday at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Hansi Flick Barcelona Spanish Super Cup 2026 Strategy

Flick's reign began with a Super Cup triumph last season, which served as the foundation for their domestic treble. "Winning gave us a lot of energy for the rest of the season," Flick told news agencies. While Barca currently leads La Liga after nine consecutive victories, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern. The coach emphasized that his team must play more connected in defense to avoid the mistakes seen in their recent derby win against Espanyol.

Squad Updates: Araujo Returns and Cancelo Rumors

Center-back Ronald Araujo might return to the pitch after a month-long mental health break following his November red card against Chelsea. Additionally, Flick confirmed that the club is close to a deal for Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal. Flick says the versatile full-back would offer more tactical options for their offensive play if they manage to sign him permanently.