After a terrible end to 2024, Barcelona have opened the new year on a positive note and could win the first trophy of the Hansi Flick era this weekend.
Flick's Barca are headed to the Middle East for the four-team Spanish Super Cup and are involved in Sunday's final by beating Athletic Club 2-0 on Wednesday night.
La Blaugrana will have the advantage of a familiar foe in the competition's showpiece event having played the night before Real Madrid beat Mallorca 3-0, but they will be aware they are facing a Los Blancos side out for revenge, given what happened in the Spanish capital on October 26.
Flick's side have become healthier for the start of 2025 but are unlikely to see much change from their semi-final triumph. Here is the squad the German could pick for Sunday's final.
GK: Inaki Pena – Barcelona's injury problems have eased, but number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains sidelined. Pena will take another nod.
RB: Jules Kounde – Madrid's fluidity in attack means Kounde will see a few faces under his wing on Sunday, but the Frenchman has the tools to fend off any superstar trying to beat him.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – Recent reports suggest that Flick is keen to build his defense around the teenager, with captain Ronald Araujo is linked with a departure.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Araujo is back from injury but Barcelona's impressive centre-back duo will not be separated this weekend as they kept a clean sheet in Wednesday's semi-final win.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The young left-back has struggled to replicate the heights of his breakout year – injuries haven't helped in that regard – but Balde offered plenty of trickery and attacking punch against Athletic Club. He is easily Barca's main option in this position.
CM: Marc Casado – La Masia's last shining light has been utterly brilliant this season, and Frenkie de Jong can't make the team as a result. He will join his compatriot at the base of midfield in a bid to tame Jude Bellingham and co.
CM: Peter – The football world is a better place when Pedri is injury free and performing at his peak. He and Casado have created a joyous dynamic in Flick's midfield pivot.
RM: Lamine Yamal – The teenager should be relatively fresh for Sunday's final, having scored Barca's second goal against Athletic. Yamal tore Madrid apart in October's El Clasico.
AM: Gavi – Flick has relieved Gavi since returning from a long-term knee injury and he produced his best performance of the season in Wednesday's semi-final in a more advanced role. With the absence of Dani Olmos. the little Spaniard should continue in the same role.
LM: Raphinha – The Brazilian has enjoyed a stellar scoring season, but he was extremely wasteful on Wednesday night. Flick will be hoping his captain hasn't left his goal boots in 2024.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski was also guilty of missing chances against Athletic, but he tends to show in this match. The Pole has ten goals in 16 games against Madrid, four of which were memorable during his heyday at Borussia Dortmund.