League leaders Barcelona will look to make it five wins in a row when they hit the road to square up against Girona.
After a slow start to the new season, Girona have bounced back with consecutive wins, and they will be aiming to take down Barcelona who have made a flying start under new boss Hansi Flick.
After a draw and a defeat in the first two outings of the season, last year’s surprise title challenger have secured two wins in a row, and they will be looking to make it three in a row against the Catalan giants.
After smashing Osasuna 4-0, the home team managed to get the better of Sevilla (2-0). While it was an evenly contested fixture, Girona were better in the final third, and they got the desired result. But, the game against Flick’s team will be much more difficult.
Barcelona did not live up to the expectations last season. While they only made limited changes to their squad during the summer, their new manager has had a massive impact, and they have started the season with four wins in a row.
The Blaugrana are heading into this one on the back of a massive 7-0 win over Real Valladolid. It was a dominant display from Barcelona and they will look for something similar against Girona. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Girona
The home team will be without the services of Ricard Artero and Jastin Garcia. Meanwhile, Oriol Romeu cannot line up against his parent club. While Yangel Herrera missed the international break because of an injury concern, he is expected to be fit and available for this fixture.
Girona could line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Paulo Gazzaniga will take charge in goal. Alejandro Frances and Miguel Gutierrez will be the full-backs for the home team, while David Lopez and Daley Blind will feature in the heart of the defence.
Viktor Tsygankov and Bryan Gil are expected to start out wide on the flanks. They will look to support full-backs and provide width to their attacks. In the centre of the park, Yangel Herrera will start alongside Ivan Martin. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure Barcelona do not dominate the proceedings.
As for the offensive department, Abel Ruiz will start alongside Arnaut Danjuma, who should be making his first start for Girona when they welcome Barcelona to Estadi Montilivi this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gazzaniga; Frances, Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Herrera, Martin, Gil; Ruiz, Danjuma
Barcelona
While Gavi is back in training, he is not yet 100% to be playing a part in the games. He remains on the sidelines alongside Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong. Fermin Lopez has also picked up an injury and is unlikely to feature in this fixture. While Ansu Fati is back fit, the away side won’t risk him yet.
Hansi Flick will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation. where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will take charge as the full-backs for the visitors, while Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martínez will feature in the heart of the defence.
With Fermin Lopez and Gavi unavailable, Marc Casado will most likely feature in the centre of the park. He will form the double pivot alongside Pedri. The duo will look to ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Dani Olmo will continue in the number ten role, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on either flank. Yamal and Raphinha will look to provide the width, while Olmo will provide the threat from a more central position. Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Girona.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Girona completed a league double over Barcelona last season.
- The Catalan giants will be looking to make it five wins in a row when they square up against Girona.
- The home team will be making their UEFA Champions League debut after this high-voltage fixture against Barcelona.
- Hansi Flick’s team have already established a four-point lead at the top of the table.
- The Spanish giants have won each of their last eight outings but their most recent league defeat did come against Girona that too away from home.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
The Brazilian international, who was linked with a move away from the Spanish giants for most parts of the summer, has made an exceptional start to the new season. He has six goal contributions in his four league outings. Having scored a hat-trick in Barcelona’s last outing, Raphinha will be eager to add to it against Girona and continue his dream run.
Prediction
Girona 1-3 Barcelona
Girona did complete a league double over Barcelona last season, but a lot has changed since. The home team underwent a lot of changes during the summer. More importantly, the Blaugrana have been playing a much better brand of football under Hansi Flick, and it won’t be easy to take them down. The Hard Tackle predicts another dominating display from Barcelona and a 3-1 win for them.