The Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid is another major test for Hansi Flick and his Barcelona side.
El Clasico finals are never decided by form alone. Small details, tactical discipline, and execution in key moments often define the outcome.
Barcelona have clear advantages in certain areas, but they must be smart, balanced, and ruthless to make those advantages count.
Here are three things Barça must get right if they want to lift the trophy.
Attack the flanks
One of Barcelona’s biggest opportunities in this final lies out wide, as Real Madrid are expected to start the match without a natural right-back, which forces Federico Valverde to fill in on that side.
Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona
Rashford and Lamine will be key for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
While Valverde’s work rate and intensity are elite, defending the touchline is not his natural game.
He is a midfielder by instinct and often drifts inside or pushes forward, leaving space behind him.
Barcelona must target that space relentlessly. A direct winger like Marcus Rashford can use pace to attack Valverde in 1v1 situations, while Raphinha can hurt Madrid with diagonal runs into the box.
These movements can stretch Madrid’s back line and force midfielders to drop deeper than they want.
On the other flank, Madrid’s injury problems could see Alvaro Carreras used as a makeshift centre-back.
That role limits his ability to defend wide spaces, which gives Lamine Yamal a clear advantage.
To make this work, Barça need smart possession. Quick switches of play will move Madrid’s defence from side to side.
Pedri and Dani Olmo/Fermin Lopez can operate in the half-spaces, linking midfield and attack, while Alejandro Balde’s overlaps can drag Valverde out of position.
If Barcelona control these wide zones, Madrid will struggle to stay compact.
Balanced defensive approach
Barcelona must not over-commit in defence. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s high defensive line has been both a strength and a weakness this season.
In the 2024 El Clasico, Barça caught Real Madrid offside repeatedly, setting records in the process. However, repeating that extreme approach would be risky now.
Since the departure of Inigo Martinez, teams have learned how to exploit Barça’s high line.
Better-timed runs and quick vertical passes have exposed the large spaces left behind when the defence pushes up to the halfway line.
Flick’s system helps Barcelona commit more players forward and dominate territory, but it also leaves them vulnerable in transition.
Against Real Madrid’s pace and movement, Barcelona need more balance. Instead of stepping up together every time, one centre-back must be ready to drop early and cover depth.
This small adjustment can prevent Madrid from attacking open space with direct balls.
Aggressive counter-pressing will still be vital. By pressing immediately after losing the ball, Barça can force Madrid wide rather than allowing passes through the middle.
The key is timing and Barcelona must choose the right moments to spring the offside trap, not rely on it constantly for 90 minutes.
Convert chances more effectively
Barcelona players
Barcelona need to be more clinical. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s biggest problem this season has not been chance creation, but finishing.
In many matches, they have dominated shots and possession but failed to kill games early. The numbers show it clearly.
They needed 14 shots to score five goals against Athletic Club in the semi-final, 13 shots for just two goals at Espanyol, and 12 shots for two goals at Villarreal.
Even in strong wins, such as the 4–0 against Athletic Club and the 3–1 against Atletico Madrid, there were long spells of missed chances before short bursts of goals.
Against Real Madrid, that margin for error does not exist, as clear chances must be treated as decisive moments.
Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Rashford, and Lamine Yamal all need to be calm and clinical in the box.
Ultimately, choosing the simple finish over the spectacular one can make the difference.