Young starlets Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, without Dani Olmo after his licence to play was revoked, into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. Spanish playmaker Olmo was cleared to play again on a temporary basis before the game but the decision came too late for him or Pau Victor, in the same position, to feature against Copa del Rey winners Athletic. Gavi put Barcelona ahead from close range after 17 minutes and teenage winger Yamal netted the second early after the break.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid face cup runners-up Mallorca on Thursday in the second semi-final in Saudi Arabia, where the competition has been held for the past few years.

“Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot, we suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well and we’re very happy,” Yamal told Movistar.

The winger said Olmo and Victor were pleased to be allowed to play once more.

“In the end you’re nervous when you can’t play and when you get news like that, you’re very happy,” added Yamal.

Barca coach Hansi Flick hailed the decision from Spain’s national sports council regarding Olmo and Victor.

“The whole club is very happy for this right decision,” said Flick, hoping to win his first silverware at the helm of Barca.

“We wanted to show we are a team and we win also for them.”

Barcelona, who qualified as La Liga runners-up, started brightly and Raphinha volleyed over from a fine Jules Kounde cross and forced Unai Simon into a good save with a free-kick.

It was no surprise when the Catalans broke the deadlock with Alejandro Balde cutting the ball back for Gavi, playing in Olmo’s attacking midfield role, to turn home for his first goal since suffering a severe knee injury last season.

The 20-year-old pointed at an imaginary watch in his celebration, a nod to Olmo who regularly produces the same gesture after scoring.

At the other end Inaki Williams dallied on the ball too long as Athletic’s best attacking move of the first half broke down.

Yamal, returning after an ankle problem, should have added Barcelona’s second after Raphinha’s shot was saved but the 17-year-old miscued an attempted lob.

Wojciech Szczesny, on his second start in goal for Barcelona, made a good save to keep Inaki Williams at bay before the break.

Sharp Yamal

Barcelona doubled their lead early in the second half when Gavi slipped in Yamal who finished with aplomb.

Veteran Polish forward Robert Lewandowski spurned a fine chance to add the third, firing off-target when well placed.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked as Barcelona boss after a defeat at the same stadium in 2020, brought on Nico Williams to try and turn the game around.

The Spain international, heavily linked with Barcelona in the summer, was not fit enough to start, but made a positive impact from the bench.

The winger set up Oscar de Marcos to strike but the Athletic defender had strayed just offside and the goal was ruled out.

Inaki Williams also had a goal ruled out for offside after Frenkie De Jong’s poor back-pass took a slight deflection off Alvaro Djalo on its way to the Ghana international.

“It’s a shame given all the effort… but we have good things ahead of us and we have to continue,” said Inaki Williams.

Barcelona were able to book their place in Sunday’s final, in which Olmo will be allowed to feature.

“We don’t care (who we face in the final), it will be hard and we want to win it, which is the important thing, and go back home with the trophy,” said Yamal.

La Liga leaders Barcelona visit rivals Real Madrid in a mouthwatering Clasico on Saturday, aiming to strike a significant blow in the Spanish title race. Barcelona hold a three point lead on the second-place Spanish and European champions, who are struggling for consistency and balance as they head into Kylian Mbappe‘s first Clasico as a Madrid player. It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s first Clasico and his team’s 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday demonstrated how he has revitalised the Catalan giants in a matter of months.

Madrid had their own European epic on Tuesday in a repeat of last season’s final against Borussia Dortmund, and they produced a classic Los Blancos comeback from two goals down to destroy the visitors 5-2.

Their poor first half gave way to an explosive second as Madrid flexed their muscles, with Vinicius Junior scoring a hat-trick.

“Very timid, with little control,” Ancelotti summarised his team’s first half against Dortmund.

“But we woke up after the break and did very well, in all aspects, intensity, pressing, quality, everything… it was spectacular.”

The coach was in no doubts over which version of Madrid he expected to see on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu under the lights.

“It’s not too complicated… the second half Madrid,” said the Italian coach.

Los Blancos will be without Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois after injuries against Dortmund, while Jude Bellingham is yet to score in 10 games this season, having netted 10 goals at the same stage last year.

Without the retired Toni Kroos, Ancelotti must lean heavily on 39-year-old Luka Modric for midfield creativity, as Madrid bid to go a 43rd league match unbeaten, matching Barcelona’s all-time record set between 2017-18.

Vinicius’s treble was a timely show of his quality ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, where he is expected to win the accolade for the first time.

“We’ll go for it, in our stadium, with our fans, and we will fight for everything this season like always,” said Vinicius.

The Brazilian forward and Mbappe have the pace to devastate Barcelona’s defence if Flick persists with his high back-line.

Bayern broke in several times in the first half and on another night may have scored more than once.

However Barcelona’s attack is in sizzling form and Vinicius’ compatriot Raphinha netted a hat-trick of his own against Bayern.

At times he and teenage Spain winger Lamine Yamal were utterly unstoppable, while veteran target man Robert Lewandowski is at his lethal best.

The 36-year-old Polish striker has 12 La Liga goals, at least double that of any other player, including Mbappe on six.

Barcelona have nine wins from 10 games in La Liga despite a raft of injury problems, which are starting to abate.

Flick has Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and summer arrival Dani Olmo back at his disposal after they missed most of the season thus far.

The coach said the emphatic win over Bayern was the best way to arrive at the Clasico.

“If you win this type of game you have to celebrate it, for the team it’s incredible,” noted Flick.

“It gives us the confidence to believe in ourselves ahead of Saturday’s game.”

Victory would put Barcelona six points clear, while defeat would leave the Clasico rivals with nothing between them.

Player to watch: Kylian MbappeReal Madrid’s marquee summer signing is yet to explode for Los Blancos but the Clasico could be the platform for his time in the Spanish capital to take flight. Mbappe’s speed could be vital for Madrid to take advantage of the space Barcelona tend to leave at the back.

Key stats4 – Real Madrid have won the last four Clasicos across all competitions

6 – times Mbappe has netted against Barcelona in four matches, all with Paris Saint-Germain

43 – Barcelona hold the longest unbeaten streak in La Liga history, Madrid can match it on Saturday

File photo of Atletico Madrid.© X/@atletienglish