Xavi hopeful as Barcelona face Osasuna in Spanish Super Cup semis

Defending La Liga champions Barcelona will hope that they can create a season-defining moment when they play 2022/23 Copa del Rey runners-up Osasuna in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal on Thursday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona are still in the race to win all four tournaments at the end of the season after a laboured 3-2 Copa del Rey victory away to fourth-tier Barbastro during the week.

That result was a reference to the inconsistent season that the Blaugrana has had in recent months. Barcelona have lost four losses in their last 13 competitive matches although they won seven of those. 

Barcelona have won all of their last three competitive games, and Xavi will be hoping that he gets a more positive outcome from the tournament with which he ended his managerial title drought by beating Real Madrid in the final last season for Barcelona’s 14th Super Cup title.

“Of course, we want to repeat that. The tournament last year was really good to face in the second half of the season. I hope we get that turning point this season as well that the team needs to win morale and confidence. We can’t make any mistakes because we’ll face the highest of consequences. Obviously, we are favorites because we are Barca, but it’s a knockout match, and we need to show that we deserve to be in the final.” Xavi said.

Barcelona has the advantage against Osasuna if they want to create a repeat of last season’s Cup final, as Osasuna has not defeated Barcelona since 2019/20. In fact, they have lost six and drawn just once.

Real Madrid have already secured their place in the weekend’s final after beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 after extra time on Wednesday. Despite Antoine Griezmann scoring to become Atletico’s record scorer, Real Madrid had enough to force extra time with a 3-3 score in regular time and two late goals in the second half of extra time.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu