Super Cup: The precedents that make it clear that Barça will not have an easy duel against Athletic

If there is something that FC Barcelona can boast about, it is having a good record against their upcoming rival, Athletic Club. And why not? The teams of Hansi Flick, who will face Ernesto Valverde's team in the framework of the 2025 Spanish Super Cup, have met 242 times, with the Blaugrana team prevailing in 122 of them, losing only 80, and drawing 40. A particularly encouraging record, isn't it?

However, this should not invite FC Barcelona to relax, as the 'lions' seem to have an edge in single-match disputes. Indeed, Athletic Club has proven to be a tough opponent in recent knockout showdowns against the Catalan team, achieving a significant win rate.

The precedents that make it clear that Barça will not have an easy match against Athletic

The most recent duel in terms of knockout competitions between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona dates back to last season, in 2023-24, when both teams faced each other in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

The result? The Basque team eliminated the Blaugranas from the tournament in a match that ended in a draw in regulation time, with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal for Barcelona, and Gorka Guruzeta and Oihan Sancet for the 'lions'. In extra time, goals from Iñaki and Nico Williams in favor of the Basques tilted the balance, leaving the score at 4-2.

Athletic Club 3-2 FC Barcelona (Round of 16 - Copa del Rey 21-22)

Prior to that, in the 2021-22 season, in a round of 16 clash in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona also fell in extra time after a 2-2 draw in regular time. In that match, Ferran Torres and Pedri González scored for the Catalan team, while Iker Muniain and Iñigo Martínez did it for Athletic Club, with a goal from Muniain deciding the encounter.

Athletic Club 0-4 FC Barcelona (Final - Copa del Rey 20-21)

To find a positive result for Barcelona in a knockout match, you have to go back to the final of the Copa del Rey in the 2020-21 season, where Barcelona, led by Ronald Koeman at that time, prevailed 0-4 with goals from Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, and a brace from Leo Messi.

FC Barcelona 2-3 Athletic Club (Final - Spanish Super Cup 20-21)

In the same 2020-21 season, during the Spanish Super Cup, the Blaugrana team failed to defeat the Basque team. Once again, in what seems to be a clear trend, the Basque team managed to overcome the Catalan team in extra time.

Despite a standout performance by Antoine Griezmann, who scored a brace, goals from Óscar de Marcos and Asier Villalibre leveled the score. In extra time, it was Iñaki Williams who tipped the scale in favor of the Basques.

Athletic Club 1-0 FC Barcelona (Quarter-finals - Copa del Rey 19-20)

Additionally, in the 2019-20 Copa del Rey, in the quarter-finals, Barcelona fell 1-0 with a goal from Iñaki Williams. These recent precedents highlight Athletic Club's strength in direct elimination matches, something that Barça must be aware of before the upcoming match in the Spanish Super Cup. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Basques arrive with an enviable streak of 15 consecutive matches without a defeat in all competitions. Can the Blaugrana break this streak?