PREVIEW | The first finalists of the decade kick off a feast of football in Jeddah

48 months after their clash in the match that decided the first Super Cup winner of the current decade, the two protagonists meet again to determine the name of the first finalist in Jeddah. Preceded by a dazzling opening ceremony on the pitch of the Al Jawhara Stadium, Athletic Club and FC Barcelona are set to go head to head in a high-stakes opener featuring two giants with a combined 17 Super Cup titles between them in their trophy cabinets.

The match, which will be closely followed across all five continents, can be watched live on Movistar Plus+ from 8:00 pm (CET).

FC Barcelona, boasting 14 Super Cups, are ever-present in the current celebrated format and are eager to replicate their triumph in Jeddah from two seasons ago.

Hansi Flick could start Lamine Yamal, who hasn’t featured for the Catalans since 15 December, while European champion Ferran Torres is close to receiving the all clear from the medical team alongside Héctor Fort and Andreas Christensen.

Click here to listen to the pre-match interviews from the Athletic Club and FC Barcelona players ahead of the semi-final.

This Wednesday’s semi-final marks the penultimate step for the German manager in his quest to secure his first trophy with Barcelona. Opposing him is a coach who knows what it takes to lift the Spanish Super Cup.

Ernesto Valverde leads an Athletic Club in high spirits, riding high with a 15-match unbeaten streak and boasting an impressive record of over 20 years of success in single-elimination matches, including the Super Cup.

Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias will referee the match, with Valentín Pizarro Gómez on VAR duties.

The Basque side remains uncertain about their starting goalkeeper, with Unai Simón possibly returning in place of Agirrezabala. They are also monitoring Nico Williams, who missed training as a precaution due to a bruised left ankle.

Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta are additional doubts for the team, while Gorka Guruzeta, Álex Berenguer, and Yeray Álvarez are fully fit and ready for the 8:00 pm showdown (CET), broadcast live on Movistar Plus+, with comprehensive coverage from the official media.

On Thursday at the same time and in the same venue, it will be Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca’s turn, as they eagerly await the outcome of the first semi-final to find out their potential opponent in Sunday’s grand final.

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