The Spanish Supercopa matters this year more than ever for Barcelona.
Think back to last year. The Copa del Rey, a tournament Barca usually dominates, was a big disappointment after getting knocked out by Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in the quarter-finals.
La Liga was theirs to win, but after a few bad results in the return to play, Real Madrid pulled ahead in the table and never looked back.
Barcelona are only in the tournament because of the expanded four-team format. This is an opportunity the team needs to take advantage of.
Symbolically, a trophy could be the perfect medicine for the club’s damaged psyche.