Wojciech Szczęsny to Start in El Clasico Final Against Real Madrid

Wojciech Szczęsny will start in goal for FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Polish goalkeeper, who joined Barcelona in October 2024, has been given the nod by manager Hansi Flick after two consecutive clean sheets in his previous matches.

Szczęsny made his debut for Barcelona on January 4 in a 4-0 victory over UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey. He followed that up with another strong performance in the Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, where Barcelona won 2-0. His inclusion in the starting lineup for the final comes as a surprise to some, as Inaki Pena was initially expected to start. However, Pena was reportedly benched after arriving late to a team meeting.

Barcelona’s starting XI also features Robert Lewandowski, who will lead the attack alongside Raphinha and Yamal. The midfield will be anchored by Gavi, Pedri, and Casado, while the defense includes Cubarsi, Balde, Martinez, and Kounde.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, will field a star-studded lineup featuring Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior. The match, scheduled for 8:00 PM local time, marks the third consecutive year that Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced off in the Spanish Super Cup final. Real Madrid won last year’s encounter 4-1, while Barcelona claimed victory in 2023 with a 3-1 scoreline.

Fans around the world are eagerly anticipating this high-stakes clash, which promises to be a thrilling contest between two of football’s most storied rivals.