Three talking points from Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona

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Hansi Flick’s side cruise to Supercopa glory

First title for Hansi Flick and rampant Barca

Hansi Flick has only been in the job for a few months but already has his first title and a second impressive win over bitter rivals Real Madrid. That’s now nine goals in two games against Los Blancos. Nine.

Of course, the Spanish Super Cup is way down Barca’s list of priorities but lifting the trophy will provide a big morale boost to Flick and his young and talented squad. After all, as they love telling everyone, Real Madrid aren’t in the habit of losing finals.

The momentum such a victory can provide is not to be sniffed at, as we saw previously under Xavi when the team went on to win La Liga after lifting silverware in Saudi Arabia.

And that’s what we will all be hoping for, particularly after a weekend where back in Spain Atletico quietly beat Osasuna to move six points clear of Barca at the top of the table.

Yet Barca will feel that gap can be closed especially after ripping Real Madrid to pieces again. They scored five, could have had a few more and then saw the game out quite comfortably despite being a man down.

2 - @FCBarcelona have scored at least 4 goals in back-to-back 'Clásicos' for the first time in history in all competitions (4-0 in LaLiga and 1-4 today) and it is the first time this has happened in this meeting since @realmadrid get it in 1963 (5-1 and 4-0). Unleashed. pic.twitter.com/UIvXo2hEEo

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 12, 2025

An underwhelming end to 2024 had brought fresh doubts about Flick’s team and his approach but they will be put to one side after such an emphatic victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

A team packed full of La Masia graduates - Gavi, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, Yamal - simply swept aside the so-called latest brand of Galacticos such as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe

Flick’s side were ruthless with 17-year-old Yamal, 28-year-old Raphinha and 36-year-old Robert Lewandowski all enjoying themselves and handing the defending Spanish and European champions another embarrassing defeat.

Szczesny red card keeps the score down

Barca raced into a 5-1 lead thanks to a great team performance and the genius of Yamal and Raphinha - who is continuing his simply ridiculous form this season. Yet it would surely have been even more if Szczesny hadn’t been sent off early in the second half.

The Pole had kept his place in goal for the match with Flick claiming “it’s not a decision for the future, it’s for tonight” but was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mbappe. Pena duly arrived and may now take some shifting for the rest of the season.

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Yet it’s also worth noting that Pena had very little to do after coming on. He will feel he might have done better against Rodrygo’s free kick but then wasn’t tested again until deep into stoppage time when he denied Mbappe.

“When Szczesny was sent off, it wasn’t easy,” Flick told reporters. “And what I’m most proud of is how we defended, I’m very happy with many things, but especially with this.”

While going a man down meant Barcelona didn’t add to their five goals, the way the team controlled and closed out the game looked a huge step forward, particularly as Flick’s side have thrown away leads in La Liga this season.

Araujo returns but for how long?

Barcelona’s Super Club final was overshadowed somewhat by growing speculation that Ronald Araujo wants to leave the club and could be heading to Juventus before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Araujo started the game on the bench once again but was on before half-time after Inigo Martinez was forced off with a muscle problem that could put him on the sidelines for around five weeks.

It’s been claimed one of the reasons why Araujo is tempted to go is because he’s slipped down the pecking order, but if Inigo is out for a little while then the Uruguayan will be presented with a golden chance to cement his place in the starting XI once more.

There was certainly a lot of affection shown for Araujo after the final whistle after an impressive showing. Lewandowski and Gavi were both spotted embracing the defender, with Gavi making sure he got plenty of applause from the crowd.

Gavi lo tiene claro
Ronald Araujo

La imagen, en la celebración de la #superSupercopa del Barça sobre el césped. #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/AISSOeIn8z

— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) January 12, 2025

What happens next is anyone’s guess but you suspect Araujo is probably feeling a lot happier about Barcelona than he has done in recent weeks. The club are also likely to be a whole lot more reluctant to sell the defender in January if Martinez is set to be sidelined.

Source: barcablaugranes.com