Hansi Flick wins his first trophy with FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona have secured their first title of the Hansi Flick era by defeating rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. With Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamalhe summer, Los Blaugrana hit the ground running with seven straight victories to kick off the 2024/25 LALIGA EA SPORTS campaign, before a recent drop in form saw Flick’s side lose three straight league games on home soil before the winter break. Now, though, Barça have started the new calendar year in style. 

Flick celebrates his first trophy with FC Barcelona 

A 2-0 win against Athletic club in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup was followed by a triumph over Los Blancos in the final to secure their first trophy of the season. “I’m very proud of the team, the staff, the club, the fans... everyone who supports Barça,” Flick said at the post-game press conference. “I am proud to manage such an incredible team. We are a team. You could see that after the win, but it always shows. We stick together and our aim is to learn from every game.”

Following Sunday’s victory in Saudi Arabia, FC Barcelona have now won a record 15 Spanish Super Cups, with Flick celebrating his ninth trophy overall as a head coach. In fact, the German has won all six finals in which he has coached, including a Champions League trophy as Bayern Munich boss in 2020. “At big clubs, the goal is to win titles,” Flick added. “And that's what we're working towards. We are very happy and proud but we need to keep showing that we are the best in every game."

Barça’s attacking trio shine against Real Madrid once again

When Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring early in the first half, it seemed that Real Madrid might be about to earn revenge after FC Barcelona’s thumping 4-0 league win in ELCLASICO at the Bernabéu on Matchday 11. Yet, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha came to the fore in yet another crucial clash to inspire Barça to victory. The Poland international teed up Lamine Yamal, who dribbled past defender after defender to equalise midway through the first half. Lewandowski then netted from the spot to turn the game around, before Raphinha’s first of the game gave FC Barcelona a two-goal lead. The Brazilian forward set up Alejandro Balde just before the break on a counter-attack and then completed his brace three minutes into the second half to practically put the game to bed. 

Wojciech Szczęsny’s sending off in the 56th minute was followed by Rodrygo Goes’ goal from a freekick, to give Real Madrid some hope. But, Barça effectively soaked up pressure and celebrated their second triumph over Los Blancos under Flick. 

“Being able to start the year by winning the first title of the season is very good for us,” Raphinha said after the game. “It's an important cup and, at the beginning of the year, it gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. We know what a great team Real Madrid are, but we are focused on our own thing. We work hard, we know what we have to do on the pitch, we trust the coach and he trusts us. We can compete for titles and win them.”

Currently sitting third in the LALIGA EA SPORTS table, FC Barcelona will look to use their Spanish Super Cup triumph as springboard in their bid to push for a comeback in the title race. Having won his first piece of silverware as Barça boss, Flick will now aim to bring the league trophy back to Barcelona. With Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal providing the firepower with league highs of 18, 17 and 14 goal contributions, respectively, Los Blaugrana have already made their case as title contenders, despite trailing leaders Atlético de Madrid by six points.