Frenkie de Jong's brilliance guides Barcelona to Spanish Super Cup Final clash with Real Madrid
- Rob Fleming
- 12 January 2024
In a commanding display, Barcelona secured their spot in the Spanish Super Cup final with a decisive 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Thursday at KSU Stadium in Riyadh.
The standout performance came from midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who not only orchestrated the team's success but was also named the man of the match.
The goals that sealed Barcelona's triumph came in the 59th and 93rd minutes, courtesy of Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, respectively. De Jong, underlining his pivotal role in coach Xavi Hernandez's strategy, showcased why he remains a linchpin for the Blaugrana.
Speaking to Movistar + after the game, a jubilant De Jong emphasized the significance of the win: "It's about playing and winning. We played a serious game against a tough opponent. It was difficult to find spaces, but the changes in the second half brought the creativity we needed."
Expressing optimism about the team's trajectory, De Jong added, "I hope it is the beginning of that 'click.' We are improving, and despite being a fairly new team with many changes, we're adapting. The final against Real Madrid will be a great test."
Looking ahead to the final showdown with arch-rivals Real Madrid on Sunday, De Jong conveyed confidence, stating, "There are two days to recover, more than enough. We will be prepared; we haven't played extra time, and not having to travel gives us an advantage."
The hero of the night, Lamine Yamal, secured Barcelona's qualification in style with a crucial goal in extra time. Speaking about his pivotal moment, Yamal credited teammate Joao Felix for the assist, saying, "Very happy for the passage to the final and for the goal. I thanked Joao because he left me alone in front of the goalkeeper."
Yamal also shared insights from the coach's talk post-match, stating, "The coach told us we had to have confidence. If he gives me the title, I will be very happy. We are going into the final with great confidence, aiming to replicate last year's victory."
Addressing the final against Real Madrid, the young attacker remained composed, stating, "There are no favourites; we will see who will win. We are the League and Super Cup champions, and if we win, we will be very happy."
Barcelona's convincing performance, guided by De Jong's brilliance, sets the stage for a riveting Spanish Super Cup final clash against perennial rivals Real Madrid.
