On semifinal night in Jeddah, Barcelona face Athletic Club with a cloud of concern that should clear by kickoff. Lamine Yamal, the teenager who has become essential to Hansi Flick’s attack, missed the club’s final training on January 6 with a stomach virus. The expectation inside the camp, though, is that he will be available when the Spanish Super Cup semifinal starts at 20:00 CET at King Abdullah Sports City.

It’s a high-stakes evening for the holders. Barcelona lifted the Super Cup in 2025 as part of a domestic treble, and the message from Flick on matchday is simple: standards must be higher than in recent league outings.

Spanish Super Cup semifinal: Barcelona vs Athletic Club in Jeddah

Barcelona arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday with a 25-man squad and the goal of defending their crown. Athletic also traveled with a 25-strong group, eager to spring an upset. The setting is familiar now: Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City, a stage that demands intensity from the first whistle.

There is no scoreline yet, but there is tension. These teams know each other well from tight LaLiga battles. Small details will matter: who wins the wide areas, who sets the tempo in midfield, and who stays calmer in key moments.

“Yamal’s a teenager carrying senior minutes—manage him smart or pay for it in May.”

Lamine Yamal: stomach virus scare, but likely ready

Yamal’s absence from the last training session raised eyebrows, but staff have put it down to nothing more than a stomach virus. He’s been dealing with it for a few days and has felt a general sense of unwellness. The club is being cautious, yet the expectation is that he will be good to go.

The context matters: Yamal has featured in 715 of Barcelona’s last 720 minutes. That is a staggering workload for any player, let alone one in his teens. He also missed a January 1 workout with discomfort, then played the Catalan derby against Espanyol days later. Barcelona need his spark, but they also need to protect him.

Flick’s warning and the stakes in Jeddah

Hansi Flick has been clear about the standards required: “If we play like we did on Saturday against Espanyol, or like we did in Villarreal, it won’t be easy to win.” He also framed the competition’s value: “The Super Cup is the shortest path to a title, and last year it gave us a lot of energy… We want to repeat that success this year, but we’re up against the best teams in Spain, and it won’t be easy.”

This is not just another trophy. Win here, and Barcelona gain rhythm, belief, and breathing room in a busy January. Lose, and questions will grow about depth, rotation, and in-game control.

“Flick’s right: you don’t defend a title by strolling through a semi.”

Team news Barcelona: injuries, uncertainty, and a predicted XI

There is a significant change in goal. Marc-André ter Stegen has left the camp due to injury. That shifts focus to the backup plan. The projected lineup, in a 4-2-3-1 look, could be:

Joan Garcia; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Éric Martín, Alejandro Balde; Oriol García, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski.

Long-term absences Gavi and Andreas Christensen remain out, while there is uncertainty over Ronald Araújo. The traveling group counted 25 players before Ter Stegen’s departure and includes the core names: Balde, Koundé, Cubarsí, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal.

• Barcelona squad highlights: Balde, Araújo (uncertain), Koundé, Cubarsí, Ferran, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Joan Garcia.

The balance between Pedri’s control and Lewandowski’s penalty-box craft may define Barcelona’s threat. On the flanks, Yamal’s 1v1 threat and Raphinha’s direct running could pin back Athletic’s full-backs if Barcelona move the ball quickly enough.

Athletic Club: Williams brothers headline a dangerous unit

Athletic arrive shorthanded in defense but dangerous up top. Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche are out, and Yeray Álvarez is suspended. Even so, this is a team that can bite on the counter and press high when the chance is there.

• Athletic squad highlights: Unai Simón, Dani Vivian, the Williams brothers (Iñaki and Nico), and Gorka Guruzeta.

Simón’s shot-stopping and the Williams brothers’ speed make Athletic dangerous in transition. Barcelona’s full-backs cannot overcommit, and the pivot must track runners into the box, especially when Guruzeta drifts between the lines.

“If you give Nico and Iñaki green grass, they will burn you.”

Key battles and what to watch

Tempo: The first 15 minutes will set the tone. If Barcelona move the ball with pace, Pedri and Fermín can pull markers out of shape. Slow it down, and Athletic will settle into a strong block.

Wings: Yamal versus his full-back is the headline duel. If Yamal is at full tilt despite the virus, he can create two or three big chances on his own. On the other side, Raphinha’s early crosses to Lewandowski could be key.

Set pieces: With Laporte and Yeray out, Athletic’s defensive height is reduced. Barcelona must attack corners and free-kicks with conviction.

Kickoff details and why this semi matters

Kickoff is 20:00 CET at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. There is no margin for error: win and you are 90 minutes from the first trophy of 2026; lose and you fly home with more questions than answers.

For Barcelona, the Super Cup has meaning beyond medals. Flick said it gave the group “a lot of energy” last year. With injuries to key leaders like Ter Stegen and the long-term absence of Gavi, that energy and belief are vital again. Manage Yamal wisely, keep the back line switched on against the Williams brothers, and the holders will fancy their chances of returning to Sunday’s final.

For Athletic, the path is clear: defend the box, break fast, trust Simón, and be ruthless in transition. If they score first, this semi can turn into a drag race.

Either way, expect a tense night in Jeddah. One edge, one mistake, one moment of brilliance—that’s often all that separates semifinal joy from the long walk down the tunnel.