Girona vs FC Barcelona: A match with a 'smell' of revenge to maintain the unbeaten streak in LaLiga

Published:14/09/2024 - 00:26h

Updated:15/09/2024 - 15:15h

Barça face Girona this Sunday with the aim of achieving their fifth consecutive victory in LaLiga and maintaining first place in the table. The Catalans are looking to triumph against Míchel's men after losing both matches last season

FC Barcelona is back in action after the first international break of the season ended. The team managed by Hansi Flick will visit Montilivi next Sunday, September 15 to face Girona in the match corresponding to the fifth round of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25. The ball will start rolling at 16:15 and will face the culés against one of their main 'executioners' of the last campaign.

The sensations in the Catalan team are increasingly better. The German's project in Barcelona started on the right foot, adding 12 points with four victories in the first four rounds of the local championship and occupying the top of the standings alone. The last duel of the culés against Valladolid raised the hopes of Barcelona fans, who were completely ecstatic with the thrashing of the pucelano team (7-0) and who hope for a new resounding victory against the 'neighbors'.

For its part, the squad led by Míchel managed to turn around its 'obstructed' start in LaLiga. Despite adding a draw and a defeat in the first two rounds of the tournament, the Albirrojos went into the international break with two consecutive victories, with Osasuna (4-0) and Sevilla (0-2) being the victims of a Girona team that does not want to lose again at home after being beaten by Atlético de Madrid (3-0) on the 2nd round.

Flick will begin his first 'trial by fire'

Barça is preparing to start a run of 6 games in 17 days, which will test the physicality of a Barça squad that has been quite punished by injuries. Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong were joined by Fermín López, who suffered a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his left thigh with the Spanish under-21 team that will keep him out for three weeks. However, Ansu Fati managed to recover from his plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and could be a key 'reinforcement' for the Catalan team's forward line in the upcoming matches.

Thus, with a midfield and a defence quite 'depleted' by the casualties, Flick is expected to line up his most reliable players again, with Marc Casadó as the one chosen to accompany Pedri and Olmo in the midfield. Meanwhile, the forward line could present some surprises, since taking into account the club's complicated schedule this September, added to the blow suffered against Valladolid and the minutes accumulated with Spain, Lamine Yamal could start from the bench, with an eye on the Champions League debut against AS Monaco.

Barça seek revenge at Montilivi

The match will have a special 'flavour' for the Blaugrana squad, since Girona managed to defeat them in both matches played in LaLiga last season. Míchel's team thrashed the Catalans both at Montilivi and Montjuïc, with both matches ending with a score of 4-2 in favour of the Albirrojos.

For this reason, Hansi Flick's team will arrive with one more incentive to a duel that could be key for what is to come. After the visit to Girona, the Catalans will have to travel to Monaco and Villarreal, in two matches that are set to be very difficult for the team. Therefore, the Blaugranas will be looking for a victory that will allow them to start the second stage of the season with confidence and that will further strengthen their position at the top of the championship.