SETTABLOID

FC Barcelona are set to take on Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in what will be a game that gives both sides a shot at silverware. More than the trophy in itself, it is important for the Catalan club to get one over their arch-rivals.

Tomorrow’s game is not just important in the context of the Super Cup but also gives one team a psychological advantage over the other in the league title race which looks set to go down to the wire this season.

Real Madrid have already secured silverware this season, beating Atalanta to the UEFA Super Cup title meanwhile Hansi Flick will get his first chance to win a trophy as the coach of Barcelona which he will be dying to take.

With all this in mind, here is what we at Barca News Network think are the three talking points for Barcelona ahead of their Spanish Super Cup final clash against Real Madrid.

1. Trophy (and pride) at stake:

Normally, one would not take the Spanish Super Cup that seriously but for a club like Barcelona who have not been among the trophies as much as they would have liked in previous seasons, a victory here would be a shot in the arm.

The stakes are even higher when you realize that Barcelona will be facing Real Madrid in the finals. Beating Los Blancos, irrespective of the competition, even if it was a pre-season game would give the Catalan club bragging rights.

Apart from all this, many players in the current squad are yet to win silverware at club level. It would give these players excellent exposure to feature in a knockout tie under immense pressure and hold them in good stead in other competitions.

Thus, tomorrow’s game is not important for Barcelona just from a trophy perspective but it is also a matter of pride. Let’s wait and see if Hansi Flick can outwit Carlo Ancelotti again and help his team secure an important win.

2. Szczesny or Pena?

The million-dollar question. It must be mentioned here that Inaki Pena was expected to start the semi-final game against Athletic Club in the Super Cup but Hansi Flick dropped him for being late to an activation session in the morning of the game.

In his absence, backup shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny was given the chance to start just his second game as a Barcelona player, and boy, didn’t the Polish veteran put in a performance for the ages against the Basque side!

Despite being a bit tentative with his sweeping actions, Szczesny was an absolute rock at the back. His shot-stopping was exceptional and he thwarted so many chances on the night which helped Barcelona and himself keep a clean sheet.

It remains to be seen who Hansi Flick goes with for the final. One would have to say that the Pole deserves to continue, at least for the final but Pena has been very good this season too. Let’s wait and see which way Hansi Flick tilts when making the decision.

3. The Dani Olmo conundrum

Dani Olmo did not feature in the game against Athletic Club due to registration issues but it emerged just an hour before that game that the Spaniard has been given temporary permission to feature and can play the Super Cup final against Real Madrid.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Olmo but with an important final on the horizon, he could have an important role to play against Los Blancos. In fact, Hansi Flick could even hand him a start in the game against Real Madrid.

In such big games, the ability of Olmo to pick a pass through a defense is very underrated and he can find a way to change the game on its head. He is also very good with shooting from range but if he has to start, it would have to be at the expense of Gavi.

On Friday, reports emerged claiming that FC Barcelona had identified Marcus Rashford of Manchester United as their priority target for the ongoing transfer window.

Indeed, it was claimed that the Blaugrana are ready to go all out to sign the 27-year-old Englishman, who has fallen out of favour with his current manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

There was even talk about Deco having met with the attacker’s representatives to assess the possibility of a loan switch this month.

The England forward has been offered to Barcelona by his agents, as he is being shopped around to various clubs following his falling out with Amorim.

However, Rashford is at best seen as an alternative with the Blaugrana having other forwards whom they like more such as Alexander Isak – the most preferred option, Rafael Leao, and Luis Diaz, among others.

Barça do acknowledge the quality that Rashford would bring even though his recent form has been forgettable at best. The Manchester United forward’s proven track record in the past remains a point of interest.

The fact that he would be readily available to sign this month also adds up as an advantage, considering that the other targets Barcelona have will be difficult to sign in January.

FC Barcelona are waiting to find out the fair play margin they will have in the ongoing winter transfer window.

The Catalan club’s primary objective is to secure a top-tier forward to address deficiencies in the attacking line, a need identified since last summer.

Barcelona’s focus appears to be on finding a forward who can operate on the left flank and through the middle, contribute goals, and provide versatility.

Alexander Isak the preferred option

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, among the options that Barcelona are considering, they admire the profile of Newcastle United and Sweden striker Alexander Isak the most and see him as their preferred target.

The former Real Sociedad player, who cost Newcastle €70 million in 2022, has been in excellent form this season, already plundering 15 goals in 22 matches while registering four assists as well.

But, as per the report, he is keen on consistent Champions League football – something Newcastle may not secure this season.

News of Ronald Araujo’s possible departure is gathering steam in Barcelona and it is safe to say that the Uruguayan has never been closer to leaving the club.

The centre-back, after all, was an undisputed starter and captain for the club even just 12 months ago and it is shocking to see him at the exit door. Yet, that is what six months out of action can do to a player.

While Araujo was indeed untransferable for Barcelona, the rise of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, first as individual players and as a pairing, was enough to send him down the pecking order. Now, his future is uncertain.

Only two untransferable names

As relayed in a recent update by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona only consider Cubarsi and Martinez to be non-transferable centre-backs in the squad.

Hansi Flick is indeed blessed with umpteen resources in the department, from Ronald Araujo to Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia all players capable of being regular starters.

In fact, the manager is against any of the names leaving the club as they highly value the depth of the department with such a hectic schedule coming up.

The economic situation of the club, however, forces the club to rethink their stance and the Catalans have thus declared Garcia, Christensen and Araujo as transferable.

Notably, Jules Kounde is also likely on the non-transferable list but has been excluded from the category as he has established himself as a first-choice right-back rather than centre-back.

The door is open for all three players to leave in January, but the club will try hard to ensure that at least two stay to provide depth to the department.

All signs point to Araujo being the one to depart, especially if he does not start against Real Madrid.

The Uruguayan has options to join Juventus or the Premier League this month while Garcia is on the radar of Girona. Christensen, still not given the medical green light, may well stay until the summer.

The brass at La Liga giants Barcelona are considered as being increasingly open to parting with defensive star Ronald Araújo before the month is out.

That’s according to transfer insider Florian Plettenberg, who has on Friday provided a fresh insight into the developing situation.

The name of defender Araújo has of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya’s capital across the week to date.

This comes as speculation continues to mount surrounding outside interest in the signature of the Uruguayan international.

After Juventus were first tipped as a potential destination for Araújo, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were swiftly named as an interested party, too.

This comes as speculation continues to mount surrounding outside interest in the signature of the Uruguayan international.

After Juventus were first tipped as a potential destination for Araújo, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were swiftly named as an interested party, too.