Flick: We are here to win the Spanish Super Cup

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Hansi Flick discussed the team’s current form and a range of related topics, including the imminent signing of Joao Cancelo. (Supplied)
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Hansi Flick discussed the team’s current form and a range of related topics, including the imminent signing of Joao Cancelo. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 January 2026
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Flick: We are here to win the Spanish Super Cup

  • Hansi Flick: Athletic Bilbao has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively
  • Flick: We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them

JEDDAH: Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said that his team is fully prepared for their Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, in Jeddah, on Wednesday, and hopes to go all the way in the tournament.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the German coach discussed the team’s current form and a range of related topics, including the imminent signing of Joao Cancelo.

He said: “There are two games left to win the title. That’s motivation enough. At Barca, you want to win titles. That’s what the club and the fans want. We’re here to be successful.”

“It is a tough match against Athletic Bilbao which is considered as one of the best teams in the La Liga. Athletic has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively.”

On the signing of Joao Cancelo, he confirmed: “It’s not a done deal, but I’d be happy if it goes through. We talked about signing a center-back, but this is a good option for these six months.”

“Joao is a good player and he can play both (left and right) full-backs. That’s why we need him.”

“We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them.


Paolini races into round two to kickstart Australian Open

Updated 18 January 2026
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Paolini races into round two to kickstart Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Jasmine Paolini powered into the Australian Open second round with a straight-sets demolition to kickstart the action in a hot and sunny Melbourne on Sunday.
The seventh-seeded Italian outclassed Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
Paolini faces Poland’s Magdalena Frech or Veronika Erjavec of Slovenia next.
“It was pretty good today, I did not expect that,” she said of her emphatic win in 69 minutes.
“Always tough to play first round. I played pretty good. I was solid, focused, so happy.
“Before the match I was a little nervous, to be honest, but then stepped on court and felt good from the first ball.”
The 30-year-old broke her opponent’s serve immediately and raced into a 3-0 lead in just 10 minutes.
She polished off the first set in 26 minutes and although Sasnovich put up more resistance in the second, Paolini ran out a comfortable winner.
Paolini reached the finals of Wimbledon and the French Open in 2024, but her best result at Melbourne Park is the fourth round in the same year.