Athletic Club vs Barcelona: Key Stats, Lineups, and Live Updates for the Spanish Super Cup Clash

Athletic Club de Bilbao has proven to be a tough opponent for Barcelona in knockout competitions. The Basque team claimed victory over the Catalans in the 2021 Spanish Super Cup final and has lost just once in their last five encounters—during the Copa del Rey final that same year. Athletic also ousted Barça in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 in both 2022 and 2024. Now, the two sides meet again this Wednesday in Jeddah, with a place in the Spanish Super Cup final at stake.

Barcelona enters the tournament under a cloud of tension. The club is still awaiting approval from the CSD to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, though neither will be eligible to play in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, criticism of President Joan Laporta has reached a boiling point, and the board is acutely aware that a victory under coach Hansi Flick could help restore calm. On a positive note, young talent Lamine Yamal has fully recovered, trained without issues, and is expected to start, reuniting Barça’s most effective attacking lineup.

On the Athletic side, Nico Williams and Sancet are on the bench after missing training earlier. Coach Ernesto Valverde, who was dismissed as Barcelona manager in Saudi Arabia in 2020, emphasized he wouldn’t risk players unless they are 100% fit.

Probable Lineups:

Athletic Club: Unai Simón; Vivian, Paredes, Yuri, Iñigo Lekue; Jauregizar, Prados, Berenguer, Unai Gómez; Iñaki Williams, Guruzeta.

FC Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde; Marc Casadó, Pedri, Gavi; Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski.

Referee: Ortiz AriasVenue: King Abdullah Sports CityKickoff: 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT / 1:00 pm MX