Barcelona is riding a wave of momentum as they prepare to defend their Spanish Super Cup title this week, with coach Hansi Flick radiating confidence about his team's prospects in the exciting tournament being hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The record 15-time Super Cup champions face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, and the atmosphere surrounding the team is one of optimism and determination. Flick, who has already guided Barcelona to an impressive domestic treble in his debut season, believes that success breeds success.

"For us to win the Super Cup last season gave us a lot of energy for the rest of the season, and this is also what we want this year," the enthusiastic German coach shared, reflecting on how their triumph sparked an incredible run that included La Liga and Copa del Rey victories.

Barcelona enters the tournament as favorites, and for good reason. The team has been on fire recently, stringing together an impressive nine consecutive top-flight victories that have propelled them to the top of La Liga. Their resilience was on full display this past Saturday when they secured a 2-0 victory over rivals Espanyol, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia delivering a sensational performance that kept their winning streak alive.

The team is also receiving a potential boost with the expected return of central defender Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan international, who took time to prioritize his mental health following a difficult period, may be ready to rejoin his teammates. Flick's supportive approach to Araujo's situation demonstrates the caring culture he's building at the club, where player wellbeing comes first.

"We will see this training session today, and I will also want to speak with him," Flick said thoughtfully, emphasizing that they'll only bring Araujo back when he feels completely ready.

Adding to the positive news, Barcelona is close to welcoming back Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal on loan until the end of the season. The versatile Portuguese full-back, who previously spent the 2023-24 season with the club, could provide valuable depth and quality on both flanks.

Flick, ever the perfectionist, remains focused on improvement despite the team's outstanding results. He's working with his squad to enhance their defensive connectivity, ensuring they play as one cohesive unit. This attention to detail, even during a winning streak, shows the high standards and ambition driving this Barcelona team forward.

The tournament represents another opportunity for Barcelona to add silverware to their already impressive trophy cabinet. With only Real Madrid's 13 Super Cup titles ahead of their 15, Barcelona has a storied history in this competition and clearly feels at home in the spotlight.

Athletic Bilbao will provide stern opposition, having won the Super Cup three times themselves, including a memorable 2021 final victory over Barcelona. However, with the momentum behind them and the hunger to repeat last season's success, Barcelona looks poised for another magical run.

Whatever happens on Wednesday, this Barcelona team under Flick's guidance has already proven they have the talent, spirit, and winning mentality to compete at the highest level. Their journey continues with excitement and promise.