Girona versus Barcelona pre-match analysis
Following their season’s most substantial loss to date, Barcelona is set to reclaim the top spot in La Liga should they secure a victory against Girona, a team trailing them by 32 points, on Monday.
Barca endured a crushing 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the initial leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday. They conceded every one of those goals before the interval, and Eric Garcia was sent off five minutes prior to the final whistle.
The outcome was quite unexpected for a squad that had been almost flawless domestically since November, achieving nine consecutive wins in La Liga before a 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on January 18, and subsequently collecting three victories with an aggregate score of 9-1.
Real Madrid compounded a challenging week for Barca by triumphing 4-1 at home against Real Sociedad on Saturday, thereby moving two points ahead of them at the league’s pinnacle, albeit with an inferior goal difference and having played one more match.
“I am immensely proud of my team,” reaffirmed Barca manager Hansi Flick. “It’s evident I am not pleased with the initial 45 minutes [against Atleti], but I commend the season we are delivering. We will regroup and bounce back.”
“Girona is a well-structured, courageous team that effectively builds play from the back. We will need to exhibit considerable intensity.”
“We faced a defeat on Thursday, which served as a valuable lesson, but life continues. One must accept the loss and maintain belief. We possess ample quality to overcome this setback.”
Girona commenced the season dismally with a seven-match winless streak but managed to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since August by securing three consecutive victories last month.
Since then, they have achieved a 1-1 draw at home against Girona and away to Sevilla, flanking a 1-0 defeat at Oviedo.
“Barca isn’t solely Lamine Yamal,” stated manager Michel. “They represent the team with the most profound depth in Europe and lead in numerous La Liga metrics.”
“This is a truly special fixture – that is the undeniable truth. Competing against Barca, Madrid, and Atletico Madrid and clinching a win signifies a crucial stride forward.”
“We require our supporters to be at 200 percent. They must endure with us and assist us in confronting Barca. We have a strategy in mind to harm Barca, but we must execute it effectively.”
Girona versus Barcelona squad updates
Goalkeeper Juan Carlos and winger Portu (both knee), along with midfielder Donny van de Beek (achilles), remain unavailable for Girona.
On-loan Barcelona custodian Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is dealing with a hamstring issue, and left-back Alex Moreno has a muscular strain.
Girona’s newest additions include playmaker Claudio Echeverri and midfielder Fran Beltran. Goalkeeper Ruben Blanco, who departed Marseille last month, has inked a contract until the season’s conclusion following Ter Stegen’s injury and declares he is in “peak condition” and “training effectively with my colleagues.”
“Goalkeepers possess a distinct mentality compared to outfield players, and throughout our careers, we encounter both favorable and challenging periods,” Blanco elaborated.
“The initial impressions with the squad have been exceedingly positive; my new teammates exude considerable energy. There will be a very healthy rivalry among the goalkeepers.”
Defender Andreas Christensen and midfielders Gavi and Pedri are sidelined for Barcelona, as is forward Marcus Rashford due to a knee problem.
Raphinha is slated to return after missing three games with his second hamstring ailment of the current season.
“He is an exceedingly vital player for us, and this is not the first instance I have remarked upon that,” observed Flick. “We have felt his absence because he elevates the standard of play and the intensity.”
Girona versus Barcelona anticipated starting formations
Girona: Paulo Gazzaniga, Hugo Rincon, Vitor Reis, Daley Blind, Arnau Martinez, Ivan Martin, Fran Beltrán, Viktor Tsygankov, Thomas Lemar, Bryan Gil, Vladyslav Vanat
Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha
Viewing options for Girona v Barcelona: Television channel, live digital stream
The kick-off on Monday is scheduled for 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live telecast in the UK available on Premier Sports 1 and streaming accessible on a broad array of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription carries an annual cost of £120, or £11.99 per month on a 12-month agreement, or £16.99 per month with a 30-day cancellation notice stipulation.
Girona versus Barcelona statistics
- The preceding three encounters of this fixture have resulted in victories for Barca.
- The Blaugranes have emerged triumphant in four of their last five visits to the Montilivi Stadium in La Liga.
- They have found the net with at least three goals in 14 of their last 21 confrontations with Spanish opponents.
- Prior to that loss to Atleti, a 1-0 home defeat to Leganes on December 15, 2024, marked the last occasion Barcelona failed to score against a Spanish club.
- The reigning Liga champions have struck the woodwork 23 times in the 2025/26 season, matching the highest tally at this phase of the campaign since at least 2003/04.
- This cumulative total surpasses that of any other team across the five major European leagues this season by five (Manchester United has hit the woodwork 18 times).
- Pedri’s opening goal in their 2-1 home win in this specific match in October represented Barca’s 200th under Flick. After 71 games, the German became the third-quickest coach ever to attain that milestone with the club.
- Girona has never experienced a loss in this particular fixture when played on a Monday (W2 D1).
- Only Oviedo (13), Rayo Vallecano (18), and Alaves (22) have registered fewer goals in this season’s division than Girona (22).
- With 37 goals conceded, Sevilla (39) stands as the sole team to have shipped more goals than them in the top flight this term.
- Each of their last five matches has concluded with fewer than three goals, with the only instance where they scored more than once during that sequence occurring in a 2-0 triumph at Espanyol on January 16.