Once the first international break of the season is over, FC Barcelona returns to action next Sunday, September 15, against Girona at Montilivi. The Blaugrana squad started the league championship like a shot, adding four victories in the first four league games and leading the tournament alone, while Míchel's team turned around their poor start to the season and have accumulated 7 points, with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

The visit to Girona will not be easy for the Catalans, who last season were unable to beat the Albirrojos in either of the two games of the season. However, the calendar is 'tight' for the Catalans, whose debut in the Champions League is just around the corner, so Hansi Flick could give a key player like Lamine Yamal a rest to protect his legs for the European debut in Monaco. Below is our prediction of the lineups for the duel:

Probable lineups for Girona-FC Barcelona in LaLiga EA SPORTS 2024/2025

  • Girona's XI: Gazzaniga; Francés, Blind, David López, Miguel; Herrera, Iván Martín, Tsygankov, Bryan Gil; Abel Ruiz and Danjuma.
  • FC Barcelona's XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Olmo, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Lewandowski

Ter Stegen

The German kept his first clean sheet of the campaign in the last game before the FIFA date against Valladolid, so this situation, added to the fact that he is now the absolute owner of the German goal after the retirement of Manuel Neuer, could give him enough confidence to avoid the fall of his goal against Girona. Míchel's men are characterized by their offensive play and in their games they usually score many goals, which is why Barça hope that 'MATS' dresses as a hero.

Koundé-Cubarsí-Iñigo Martínez-Balde

Unless there is a surprise, Flick will not change his standard defence. Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez are becoming more and more established in the centre of defence, so Eric García is expected to continue waiting for his chance from the bench. Meanwhile, the lack of reliable players on the wings, where Héctor Fort and Gerard Martín are the natural replacements for the starters, suggests that the German will opt for the Koundé-Balde duo, whose performance at the start of the season has been spectacular.

Pedri-Casadó-Olmo

In the centre of the pitch, everything seems to be set. Due to Marc Bernal's serious injury and the doubts surrounding Frenkie de Jong's return, Marc Casadó is called upon to be the 'chief of machines' in the midfield in Barça's next matches. Accompanying him will almost certainly be Pedri and Dani Olmo, who in the rout against Valladolid proved to be a lethal duo in pulling the strings in the culé offensive area.

Ferran Torres-Lewandowski-Raphinha

Finally, Flick could introduce the big 'bombshell' of the line-up in the forward line-up. Lamine Yamal ended the match against the pucelano team with a knock that put his participation with Spain in the international window in doubt, and although an injury was ruled out, the player started in both matches for La Roja. With a 'tight' schedule, having to play in the Champions League next Thursday and then travel to Villarreal three days later, it is likely that Hansi will opt to ration his big star in view of the two 'tests' mentioned above. In his place would come Ferran Torres, a starter in the first three days of the championship, who would be accompanied by the always reliable Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.