Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona | Spanish Super Cup final | OneFootball

Barcelona have had their ups and downs this season, periods of exuberance and others of distraught, but have largely stuck to playing good football.

The style of play has never really been an issue under Hansi Flick and fatigue has been the only downside that has left them exposed at times.

At this juncture, however, the dressing room stands just 90 minutes away from their first trophy of the season and all they must do to get their hands on it is precisely what they have done all season – play good football.

The first Clasico of the season was practically a walkover for Barcelona as they smashed four goals past Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. This time, however, the Merengues are in much better shape and will pose a far larger threat than they did last time around.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona for the Spanish Super Cup.

Familiar new faces

Barcelona entered the new year with the club in a frenzy over the registration situation. After all, they faced the real threat of having both Pau Victor and Dani Olmo de-registered for the second half of the season and potentially even leaving as free agents.

A big wave of celebration ran through the dressing room just before the Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Club, however, as the club were granted special permission to register the duo.

Olmo and Victor did not feature against the Basque side midweek but are now available for selection in what comes as a massive boost for Hansi Flick.

Most importantly, the development is a major boost for the players themselves who not too long ago stared at certain departures from the club.

With the new solution, however, comes a new dilemma for Hansi Flick who will be in a fix over whom to start in the attacking midfield especially Olmo back.

Pedri and Marc Casado are undisputed starters for the German coach, as are the forward three of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. There is thus only one spot remaining in midfield with no scope for a change in formation.

Olmo makes a strong case to start given the impact he has had on the team this season and the versatility he brings to the table. Competing with him, however, is Gavi who racked up a goal and an assist in the semifinal and was the man-of-the-match by far.

Who will Flick opt to start in the all-important game against Real Madrid? It is a good but serious problem for the coach to solve.

Will Szczesny start?

Szczesny to start again? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Inaki Pena did not give Hansi Flick much reason to drop him from the lineup at any point this season, but he concurrently did not do anything extravagant to cement himself as the undisputed starter.

Having arrived late for a session ahead of the semifinal in Saudi Arabia, however, the Spaniard forfeited his starting spot against Athletic Club to Wojciech Szczesny and the Polish star left the manager with a serious question after the victory.

Szczesny was phenomenal in Barcelona’s win over Ernesto Valverde’s side, impressing across various facets of his game and making a strong case for more prominence in the Blaugrana’s plans.

The veteran star excelled with his 1v1 shot-stopping, was fine with his distribution and made a staggering five saves in the semifinal. He came up clutch when the team needed him to step up under pressure and did so with authority.

Heading into a Clasico final, Szczesny throws Flick into a serious conundrum of whom to start in the big-stakes game.

Ideally, it would be Pena who would start after completing his punishment for arriving late, but his competitor’s quality may well have outdone him on this occasion.

Given that the team’s first trophy is on the line and the Polish goalkeeper started the first game of the competition, Szczesny could well be Flick’s starter against Real Madrid.

Rest assured, a strong showing tomorrow could change Barcelona’s goalkeeping dynamic for the rest of the season.

A trophy much-needed

Barcelona have been doing a lot of things right this season and have looked good even on the nights that did not go their way.

There is thus a lot of positivity for the dressing room to hold on to heading into the business end of the season and a sense of belief that they are here to compete at the highest level.

Yet, there is nothing in sport that motivates better than silverware and the Blaugrana dressing room has never been in dire need of validation.

After a trophy-less season last time around, Barcelona’s young squad can really do with the reassurance that a piece of silverware brings to the table. A win on Sunday could thus elevate their confidence to a whole new level and reinforce the fact that they are on the right path.

Adding the fact that they can do so by beating their arch-rivals will only fuel the fire in the team.

Sunday’s finale will be more than just a regular Clasico. It will be more hard-fought than before and testing to the limits as the winner takes home not only the bragging rights but also the champion’s tag.