Three questions of concern from Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna | Spanish Super Cup

The Supercopa de Espana is a special competition for Barcelona. Last season, it was the point at which their campaign pivoted for the better and it is safe to say that the dressing room requires a similar boost this season as well.

The competition saw four of Spain’s best performers of last season travel to Saudi Arabia to take part in a two-round competition. Real Madrid got the better of Atletico Madrid in the first semifinal, with the second one playing out at Al-Awwal Stadium last night.

Xavi’s men were put to the test against Osasuna and were made to toil for the result. In the end, however, the 2-0 win was deserved and took them through to the final of the competition.

Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal were on target for the Blaugranas against the Pamplona-based side, but it was an all-round display that ensured the result was set in stone.

Barça Universal brings you three questions that the high-voltage fixture left fans across the world pondering ahead of the finale.

What is up with Ronald Araujo’s form?

Since his debut for the Barcelona senior team, Ronald Araujo has only grown from strength to strength. The Uruguayan international has slowly established himself as one of Europe’s elite centre-backs and is now one of the captains of his dream club.

Credit where it is due, Araujo has significantly worked on his glaring flaws and is now a much better-rounded player than he was a few years ago. His distribution, in particular, has come a long way.

However, that does not deny the fact that he is currently enduring one of his worst periods of form since moving to the senior side. For the nth game in a row, he was easily beaten at the back, was beaten to the ball on counters, and was erroneous in his judgement.

In 90 minutes against Osasuna, the youngster won just over 50% of his duels and was involved in just five other defensive actions. He was dribbled past by Ante Budimir with an embarrassing nutmeg which even gave Osasuna a big chance.

Barcelona got away with a clean sheet despite Araujo’s poor form against Osasuna, but the margin for error against Real Madrid will be unforgiving. Such a performance will be taken to the cleaners by Los Blancos’ clinical attack, and there is an urgent need for the captain to wake up and smell the beans.

The limelight will be on Araujo on Sunday night for he is likely to be tasked with keeping up with Vinicius Jr on the night.

Will Pedri start against Real Madrid?

Pedri’s return to action was one of the biggest talking points from Barcelona’s clash against Osasuna in Saudi Arabia. The Golden Boy winner has been struggling for fitness, and the semifinal marked his latest return from the sidelines.

The Canary Islander entered the field for the final 30 minutes and dramatically changed the complexion of the game. He was far from his free-flowing best, but the security he provided in possession gave Barcelona the impetus going forward.

In just 30 minutes, the youngster completed 100% of his passes and three out of three attempted dribbles. Further, he won seven duels and made two defensive actions.

With Pedri on the field, the ball circulation and the chemistry between Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong was significantly improved. The clash only served to show the youngster’s importance in Barcelona’s dynamics and left fans with one question – will Pedri be available for the final against Real Madrid?

“When Pedri came on, everything became clearer. He doesn’t lose possession, and he generates superiority,” Xavi said in Pedri’s praise after the match before revealing that he was indeed fit to start against Real Madrid.

“Yes, he’s [Pedri] fine. I talked to him and he’s ready, yes.”

A big part of the result on Sunday night will depend on Barcelona’s young magician and his fitness. Needless to say, his starting on the night, despite being confirmed by the manager, is an uncertain factor.

Who starts on the LW: Joao Felix or Ferran Torres?

The semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup brought a new, yet familiar problem to Xavi’s table. Ahead of the grand finale, solving it assumes utmost importance.

Barcelona have a healthy battle in the final third in terms of personnel. The forward line has been underperforming this term, but the wingers offer dynamic profiles that significantly vary from one another.

Ferran Torres started down Barcelona’s left flank last night and dished out a first-half performance that cannot be faulted. The Spaniard made good runs off the ball, did not hesitate to shoot and contributed to the buildup of the team in the final third.

Joao Felix came on to take his place at the hour mark, and he too turned up the heat against Osasuna to show what he was capable of.

The Portuguese starlet was on the field for just 30 minutes. In that short period, he completed 100% of his attempted dribbles, made one key pass, and provided a special assist for Lamine Yamal’s late goal.

Heading into the Superclasico, the question thus lies over who Xavi trusts from the start. Ferran and Felix offer different skill sets, and both shone in their own right last night. Everything will depend on Xavi’s grander plan against Real Madrid and how he plans on cranking open the Merengues’ defence.