Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
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Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will face off tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m.
Barcelona, the most decorated team in the history of the Spanish Super Cup with 14 titles from 27 appearances, is looking to secure a place in the final.

Athletic Bilbao, boasting three titles, is equally determined to advance and enhance its storied legacy, according to SPA.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Spanish Super Cup, an event organized as part of the Quality of Life Program, underscores the Kingdom's growing status as a global hub for major sporting events.

This initiative aligns with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the sports sector, foster growth, and promote a vibrant society.



Monaco's Musrati Gets Shown a Quick Red Card in Loss to Benfica

Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - First Leg - AS Monaco v Benfica - Stade Louis II, Monaco - February 12, 2025 AS Monaco's Al-Musrati is shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani as Denis Zakaria reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz
Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - First Leg - AS Monaco v Benfica - Stade Louis II, Monaco - February 12, 2025 AS Monaco's Al-Musrati is shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani as Denis Zakaria reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz
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Monaco's Musrati Gets Shown a Quick Red Card in Loss to Benfica

Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - First Leg - AS Monaco v Benfica - Stade Louis II, Monaco - February 12, 2025 AS Monaco's Al-Musrati is shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani as Denis Zakaria reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz
Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoff - First Leg - AS Monaco v Benfica - Stade Louis II, Monaco - February 12, 2025 AS Monaco's Al-Musrati is shown a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani as Denis Zakaria reacts REUTERS/Manon Cruz

Monaco midfielder Al Musrati got a harsh-looking red card from referee Maurizio Mariani early in the second half of a Champions League playoff first leg against Benfica on Wednesday.
Monaco was trailing at the time to a goal from striker Vangelis Pavlidis and ended up losing the game 1-0.
Mariani showed him a second yellow card and sent him off in the 52nd minute, seemingly because Musrati appeared to contest his decision after Alvaro Carreras had fouled Monaco striker Breel Embolo. He pushed Embolo to the ground from behind when they jostled for the ball and a foul was given to Monaco, The Associated Press reported.
Television replays showed that Musrati quickly wagged his right hand as if to demand a yellow card — which in itself is grounds for a yellow card.
Musrati did not appear aggressive or even to say much at all, but within one second Mariani had brandished the second yellow and ordered him off — much to the despair of the Libya international.
Monaco coach Adi Hütter was upset by the decision, saying that Musrati had acted calmly, and also by a late yellow card shown to captain Denis Zakaria — thus ruling him out of the return leg next Tuesday.
“I didn’t see him walk to the referee. The only thing what he said maybe was ‘It could be a yellow card,’” Hütter said. “Yes these are the rules we have to accept, but he was not aggressive right? And when you see the second yellow card of Zakaria, he is suspended. These are harsh yellow cards.”
Monaco left back Krépin Diatta also felt the red card was unfair.
“I think everyone saw for themselves," he said. “He wasn't angry and he was calm toward the referee. Sometimes it's too severe.”