Girona vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Barcelona’s short hop to Estadi Montilivi on Monday night carries the weight of a season at the crossroads. A 4–0 Copa del Rey capitulation to Atlético Madrid—Hansi Flick’s heaviest defeat since taking charge—has left the Blaugrana bruised and desperate to reclaim leadership of La Liga from Real Madrid. Anything less than three points against a resurgent but vulnerable Girona would deepen the gloom.

Girona, for their part, have clawed their way from the relegation zone to 15th, yet remain only two points above the drop. Michel’s squad, decimated by injuries all year, will again be without Barcelona loanee Marc-André ter Stegen (hamstring), Donny van de Beek, Cristian Portu, Richard Artero and Álex Romero. Midfield anchor Fran Beltran is doubtful after hurting his foot against Rayo Vallecano, opening the door for veteran Axel Witsel to step into the engine room. Thomas Lemar, the Atlético loanee, is poised to operate as the No. 10, while Bryan Gil should start wide left ahead of highly-touted Man City teenager Claudio Echeverri, who is yet to make his first start. Veteran Daley Blind will marshal a back four designed to limit the damage from Barcelona’s star-studded attack.

Girona projected XI (4-4-2): Gazzaniga; Rincón, Reis, Blind, Martínez; Martín, Witsel; Tsyhankov, Lemar, Gil; Vanat.

Flick, wary of overreacting to one bad night, is expected to keep changes minimal. Pedri is unavailable and Marcus Rashford’s knee issue keeps him out of training, while Raphinha returned to the grass on Saturday but will likely be eased in from the bench. Dani Olmo retains the left-wing slot, Fermín López continues through the middle, and 18-year-old La Masia graduate Marc Bernal is set to replace the struggling Marc Casadó alongside Frenkie de Jong, injecting sorely-needed bite to the midfield. The rest of the XI should mirror the side humbled at the Metropolitano.

Barcelona projected XI (4-3-3): García; Koundé, Cubarsí, García, Balde; De Jong, Bernal; Yamal, López, Olmo; Torres.

Form and motivation point to a one-sided affair. Barcelona, stung by midweek humiliation and buoyed by a rare full week of rest, will press for an early knockout. Girona’s improved cohesion since January should yield moments of danger, especially against a Barça back line that has looked porous, yet the chasm in individual quality tilts the balance heavily toward the visitors. Expect a flurry of goals at one end and, perhaps, another reminder that defensive answers remain elusive for Flick.

Prediction: Girona 1–4 Barcelona