(Football news) The Catalan giants are the defending La Liga champions going into the competition, while Osasuna is playing in the Super Cup after placing second in the Copa del Rey the previous year. Barcelona, which defeated rival Real Madrid 3-1 in the championship game after defeating Real Betis on penalties, is hoping to keep the trophy they earned from the previous season when they travel to Saudi Arabia.
Although Barcelona won the competition for the first time since the four-team format was implemented in 2018–19, the Catalan giants own the record for the most Super Cup victories, having taken home the trophy 14 times.
After defeating Almeria 3-2 to close out 2023, Xavi’s team started the new year strong, defeating Las Palmas in stoppage time and then defeating fourth-tier Barbastro 3-2 in the Copa del Rey thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez.
With their past 12 victories coming by a single goal margin, Barcelona may be irritated by their inability to dominate games, even though they can be happy that they have won three straight competitive games.
Though his primary goal will be to lead the Blaugrana to their third Super Cup final in four seasons, Xavi may have high expectations for his team to put on a strong showing as soon as possible.
They have won six of their last seven games against Osasuna (D1), including a 2-1 victory in the league match in September when Lewandowski scored a penalty in the 86th minute to secure all three points, so they will definitely fancy their chances of defeating Thursday’s opponents.
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