Barcelona are one win away from silverware after an absolute demolition of Athletic Club, putting five past the Basques without reply to storm into the Spanish Super Cup final. Hansi Flick’s side were utterly ruthless, sealing the game with four goals in a dizzying first half blitz in Saudi Arabia.
It were a display of devastating attacking football. Ferran Torres started the party on 22 minutes, but the real damage were done in a 16 minute spell that left Athletic shellshocked. Fermin Lopez made it two, then turned provider for young Roony Bardghji to smash in a third. Raphinha who was electric all night got the fourth before the break, making Barca the first side ever to score four in a Super Cup semi final first half.
The Brazilian winger weren’t done, adding a fifth just after the restart to complete the scoring and a stellar personal performance. Truth be told, it could have been more as Barca’s winning run stretched to nine games in all competitions. Manager Flick was understandably chuffed. “I’m very happy with the work we’ve done,” he said. “We played with a very good mentality and a great attitude, and I really liked the Barca I saw.”
What will please him most is the focus. “We was very connected and fully in the game for the full 90 minutes,” Flick added, also highlighting another clean sheet. “We produced a great team performance, and that’s the most important thing, both in attack and in defence.” Athletic Club, last year’s Copa del Rey winners, simply had no answer to the onslaught.
The result sets up a final this Sunday, also in Jeddah, where Barca will look to defend the trophy they won last year. A victory would see them lift this cup for a record extending 15th time, a clear statement that Flick has got this side purring at just the right time. On this evidence, they’ll be formidable favourites whoever they face. The message from Saudi Arabia is clear: Barcelona mean business.
