Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is hoping a victory in the Spanish Super Cup will turn his team's slump this season around. Barcelona are currently third in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Real Madrid and Girona. They will face Osasuna in Thursday's Super Cup semi-finals and could face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in Sunday's final.
Xavi hopes this game will bring a turnaround to the team, just like winning the Super Cup last year. That win gave them confidence and stability, and they went on to win 10 of their next 11 league games to clinch the La Liga title. Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo also believes that winning the Super Cup again could save them from a bad season so far.
Araujo admits they have struggled defensively this season, conceding 22 goals in La Liga, compared to 20 in the entire season last season. He stressed the need for the team to improve both defensively and offensively to concede fewer goals. Despite rumours linking him with Bayern Munich, Araujo has focused his attention on Barcelona and has denied any transfer rumours. Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid in the other Super Cup semi-final.