Barcelona will look to reclaim the top spot in La Liga when they square up against Catalan rivals Girona on Monday night.
Having suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways when they hit the road to square up against Girona, who have climbed out of the drop zone with consistent performances in recent weeks.
The home team are currently 14th on the table with 26 points in their 23 outings. They have a four-point cushion over 18th-placed Rayo Vallecano. More importantly, they are only three points behind the team in 10th with a game in hand.
Four out of their six league wins have come in their last eight outings. The White and Reds have racked up 14 out of the total 26 points in those fixtures. However, they are not in the best of form heading into this fixture. After a run of three straight wins, Ginrona have been winless in their last three outings (two draws). As a result, they might struggle against a Barcelona outfit that will be eager to return to winning ways.
Thanks to an impressive 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, Real Madrid have claimed the top spot for now, but Barcelona can regain control of the title race with a win here, as they are only two points behind Los Blancos with a game in hand. While the Catalan giants have won each of their last three league games, they are heading into this one on the back of a defeat.
Barcelona lost 4-0 to Atletico in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final. Not many saw this coming, given the kind of form they have been in. While it was a bad day at the office, Hansi Flick’s men will look to put it behind them with a dominant display against Girona. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Girona
The home team will be without the services of Juan Carlos (knee), Donny van de Beek (Achilles), Portu (knee), Alex Moreno (muscle) and Ricard Artero (ankle). Meanwhile, Azzedine Ounahi (calf) is set to undergo a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Girona will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Paulo Gazzaniga will take charge in goal. Hugo Rincon and Arnau Martinez will feature as the full-backs, while Vitor Reis will pair up with Daley Blind in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Fran Beltran will start alongside Ivan Martin in the centre of the park. The duo will shield the backline and ensure the Barcelona midfielders do not run the show.
Viktor Tsygankov and Bryan Gil will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. In-form Thomas Lemar will take up the number ten role, while Vladyslav Vanat should lead the line for Girona against Barcelona on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Martinez; Beltran, Martin; Tsygankov, Lemar, Gil; Vanat
Barcelona
Barcelona remain without the services of Gavi (knee), Pedri (hamstring), and Andreas Christensen (ACL). Meanwhile, Raphinha (thigh) and Marcus Rashford (knee) are major doubts for this fixture.
Hansi Flick’s team will continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will take charge in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Pau Cubarsi could pair up with Gerard Martin at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Eric Garcia will be pushed into a role in the middle of the park. The Spanish international will form the double pivot alongside Frenkie de Jong. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game.
Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez could feature on the flanks here, while Dani Olmo will take up the number ten role. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Girona on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; Eric Garcia, de Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Fermin; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Girona have won four out of their last eight league games, losing just two in that phase.
- Michel’s team have a very disappointing home record, having won just 13 points in their 11 outings.
- Barcelona have the second-best away record in La Liga, having won 25 points in 12 away games.
- Hansi Flick’s team have won their last three league games, but are heading into this one on the back of a defeat at the hands of Atletico in the Copa del Rey.
- Barcelona have won each of their last three games against Girona, who last recorded a win over their Catalan rivals back in December 2023.
Player to Watch
Dani Olmo
Olmo might not be a regular starter under Hansi Flick, but he is certainly an important member of his squad. In the ongoing campaign, he has racked up just over 1,600 minutes in his 27 outings and has managed to contribute towards 13 goals.
12 of those goal contributions have come in just 18 league outings. The Spanish international has five goal contributions in his last three league appearances. Given the kind of form he has been in, Olmo will certainly have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Girona 0-3 Barcelona
Barcelona should approach this fixture with a point to prove after their humbling defeat in the Copa del Rey, and that urgency is likely to reflect in their performance. With the title race finely poised, Hansi Flick’s men cannot afford any slip-ups, and their superior quality, especially in midfield and attack, should allow them to dominate possession against a Girona side that has struggled at home.
Girona may show resilience early on, but Barcelona’s intensity and depth could eventually wear them down. If the visitors manage to strike early and settle into their rhythm, this could turn into a one-sided contest. Given Barcelona’s strong away form and the home team’s defensive vulnerabilities, the Catalan giants should have enough to secure a comfortable win. The Hard Tackle predicts a comfortable 3-0 win for the away team.
