Athletic Bilbao Faces Barcelona in Supercopa Semifinal with Key Absences

Athletic Bilbao will face Barcelona in the semifinal of the Spanish Supercopa on January 8, 2025, at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The match, scheduled for 8:00 PM local time, will see Athletic missing key players Nico Williams, Galarreta, and Sancet due to injuries and illness. Lekue returns to the starting lineup, while Prados and Unai Gómez are set to play pivotal roles in midfield.

Under the guidance of coach Ernesto Valverde, Athletic’s starting eleven includes Unai Simón in goal, with Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, and Yuri forming the defensive line. Prados and Jauregizar will anchor the midfield, while Iñaki Williams, Unai Gómez, and Berenguer will support striker Guruzeta. On the bench, Agirrezabala, Yeray, Vesga, and others await their chance to contribute.

Barcelona, managed by Xavi Hernández, will field a strong lineup featuring Szczesny, Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, and Balde in defense. The midfield trio of Casadó, Pedri, and Gavi will look to control the game, with Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha leading the attack. Substitutes include Iñaki Peña, Araujo, Ferran, and De Jong, among others.

The match will be officiated by Ortiz Arias from the Madrid Refereeing Committee, with Pizarro Gómez assisting from the VAR room. Both teams are eager to secure a spot in the final, with Athletic aiming to overcome their injury woes and Barcelona looking to continue their dominance in domestic competitions.

Nico Williams, a key player for Athletic, remains a doubt for the semifinal due to a recent ankle injury. Despite not training with the team, Williams is hopeful of recovering in time to face Barcelona, a club that has shown interest in signing him. His absence would be a significant blow to Athletic’s chances, as he has been instrumental in their recent performances.

This semifinal clash is a rematch of last year’s final, where Barcelona emerged victorious. Athletic will be looking to avenge that defeat and secure their first Supercopa title since 2021. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting talented squads and a rich history of competitive fixtures.