SCROLL DOWN TO GET THE LINK OF THE LIVE MATCH
YOU CAN SUPPORT MY HARD WORK BY CLICKING ON THE ADS ON THE SCREEN
Note: THE LIVE MATCH IS HOSTED BY A THIRD-PARTY WEBSITE, AND WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING CAUSED BY THE THIRD PARTY.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona: Supercopa de España Showdown
Athletic Bilbao enters this year’s Supercopa de España brimming with confidence after breaking their 40-year Copa del Rey drought last season. That hard-earned victory not only secured them their first trophy in four decades but also earned them a coveted spot in this prestigious four-team competition in Jeddah. Their journey to this semi-final wasn’t without drama, as they narrowly edged past Logroñés via penalties in the Copa del Rey last weekend. While the victory was far from straightforward, it extended Athletic’s remarkable unbeaten competitive run to 15 matches (W11, D4), showcasing their consistency and resilience.
Now, the Basque outfit faces the daunting task of taking on Barcelona, hoping to preserve an impressive record of reaching the final in all six of their previous Supercopa appearances—three of which ended in triumph. Athletic’s recent Super Cup performances have been commendable, winning four of their last six games in the tournament (D1, L1). Their history against Barcelona in non-league encounters is particularly striking, with Athletic clinching four wins in their last five cup clashes (L1). This includes their memorable 3-2 victory in extra time during the 2021 Super Cup final. Although Barcelona defeated Athletic 2-1 earlier this season in La Liga, the Supercopa presents a very different stage—one where Athletic seems to thrive.
Barcelona, on the other hand, comes into this clash with mixed form. While they cruised to a 4-0 victory over fourth-tier Barbastro in the Copa del Rey over the weekend, the Catalan giants are still reeling from consecutive league defeats that saw them lose ground in the La Liga title race. However, their comprehensive weekend win offers a glimmer of hope, as the team looks to string together back-to-back victories for the first time since November.
Historically, Barcelona has been a force to reckon with in the Supercopa, boasting a record 14 titles—the most in the competition’s history. They are aiming to reach their third successive final, but recent performances in this tournament have been inconsistent. The Blaugrana have won only five of their last 11 Super Cup matches (L6), and their last three games in the competition have all been decided by margins of two or more goals (W2, L1). Given this trend, fans could see a decisive result in either direction.
Players to Watch:
Athletic’s Iñaki Williams has proven himself a thorn in Barcelona’s side, scoring six goals in ten cup meetings against them. His knack for delivering in high-stakes moments includes the unforgettable extra-time winner in Athletic’s 2021 Super Cup triumph. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Pedri remains a key player to watch. The talented midfielder last scored in this competition during Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the 2023 final. Additionally, his two H2H goals against Athletic have ensured unbeaten results for Barcelona in regulation time (W1, D1).
Key Stats and Insights:
Athletic Bilbao’s proud unbeaten run and strong Super Cup track record make them formidable opponents, but Barcelona’s pedigree in this tournament cannot be overlooked. Notably, only four of Barcelona’s last 14 competitive goals have come in the first half, suggesting a pattern of slow starts that could be critical in a high-stakes semi-final like this one.
As these two Spanish giants clash in Jeddah, expect a fiercely contested battle where history, form, and individual brilliance could all play a pivotal role. Will Athletic’s cup heroics prevail once again, or will Barcelona’s storied legacy in this competition shine through? All signs point to a thrilling encounter that promises to be decided by the finest of margins.
Comments
Post a Comment