Barcelona defeat Bilbao without Olmo to reach Spanish Super Cup final

Young starlets Gavi and Lamine Yamal fired Barcelona, without Dani Olmo after his licence to play was revoked, into the Spanish Super Cup final with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Spanish playmaker Olmo was cleared to play again on a temporary basis before the game but the decision came too late for him or Pau Victor, in the same position, to feature against Copa del Rey winners Athletic.

Gavi put Barcelona ahead from close range after 17 minutes and teenage winger Yamal netted the second early after the break.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid face cup runners-up Mallorca on Thursday in the second semi-final in Saudi Arabia, where the competition has been held for the past few years.

“Athletic are a very physical team that make you run a lot, we suffered above all towards the end, but we were able to play well and we’re very happy,” Yamal told Movistar.

The winger said Olmo and Victor were pleased to be allowed to play once more.

“In the end you’re nervous when you can’t play and when you get news like that, you’re very happy,” added Yamal.

Barca coach Hansi Flick hailed the decision from Spain’s national sports council regarding Olmo and Victor.

“The whole club is very happy for this right decision,” said Flick, hoping to win his first silverware at the helm of Barca.

“We wanted to show we are a team and we win also for them.”

Barcelona, who qualified as La Liga runners-up, started brightly and Raphinha volleyed over from a fine Jules Kounde cross and forced Unai Simon into a good save with a free-kick.

It was no surprise when the Catalans broke the deadlock with Alejandro Balde cutting the ball back for Gavi, playing in Olmo’s attacking midfield role, to turn home for his first goal since suffering a