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Barça vs Bilbao: Flick’s Bold Bench as Spanish Super Cup Hangs in the Balance

7 January 2026

Barça vs Bilbao: Flick’s Bold Bench as Spanish Super Cup Hangs in the Balance
Barça and Bilbao gear up for a high-stakes semi-final in Saudi Arabia.

Lineups Preview

Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, unveils his lineup to face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia.

The event is broadcast exclusively on the Eight App, the rights holder for the competition in the region.

Barcelona's bench includes Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, while the starting XI features Rafinha and Ferran Torres.

Athletic Bilbao respond with Unai Simón in goal and a balanced mix of experienced players and youngsters.

The winners of this semi-final will meet the winner of Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid in Sunday's final in a showpiece ending to the week.

Barcelona's final lineup notes: Lewandowski and Yamal are among the substitutes while Rafinha and Ferran Torres lead the attack when called upon.

Punchlines can save a game, but not a bad joke: Barca’s bench is so deep you’d need a recruitment agency just to search it. And if Yamal comes on for a late burst, even the stadium might start chanting his name before the ball lands.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who started for Barcelona and who was benched in the semi-final?

The article notes Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal were on the bench, with Rafinha and Ferran Torres starting in the attack.

Where is the match played and how can fans watch it?

The semi-final is in Saudi Arabia and broadcast exclusively on the Eight App.

Who will Barca potentially face in the final?

The winner of Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid will meet Barcelona in the final.

When is the final scheduled?

The final is set for Sunday following the semi-finals.