Barcelona continue to soar under Hans Flick, showcasing a brand of football that seems sharper and more ruthless than ever. After a flawless run of eight consecutive victories across all competitions, the Catalans had already secured a place in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Yet, their demolition of Athletic Bilbao, a 5–0 rout in the semi-final, highlighted just how unstoppable they currently are.
Athletic Bilbao, now under former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde, have struggled this season. The Basque side sit outside the La Liga top six and face uncertainty in the Champions League. While a Barcelona victory might have seemed probable on paper, few could have anticipated such an emphatic display of dominance.
The Blaugrana set the tone from the first whistle, scoring four goals in a blistering 16-minute spell during the first half—from the 22nd to the 38th minute. Remarkably, this was achieved with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on the bench. Instead, Roni Bardagi stole the spotlight, scoring once and providing two assists for Raphinha. With a touch more fortune, two additional assists could easily have been added to his tally.
Key moments included:
22nd minute: Bardagi fed Fermín López on the right; the ball deflected to Ferran Torres, who opened the scoring.
33rd minute: Bardagi executed a solo run down the right flank to score his second.
38th minute: He assisted Raphinha for the fourth goal.
51st minute: A deft touch from Bardagi helped Raphinha complete the 5–0 rout.
Despite a heroic defensive effort from Bilbao, including a miraculous stop on what could have been another assist for Bardagi, Barcelona’s offensive firepower proved insurmountable.
The win now sets up a final against the winner of the other Super Cup semi-final, the Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. The Super Cup final is scheduled for 12 January in Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao – Key Match Stats
| Statistic | Barcelona | Athletic Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 5 | 0 |
| First Half Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Assists by Bardagi | 2 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 10 | 2 |
| Possession (%) | 65 | 35 |
| Key Players | Bardagi, Raphinha, Torres | López, Defenders |
With this commanding performance, Barcelona send a clear message: they are in prime form and ready to claim the Super Cup.