The Future of La Liga: 2025/26 Confirmed Teams & Projected XIs

Raphinha is set to rejoin the team after a three-game absence, following the Barcelona attacker’s second hamstring ailment of the current season.

“He is a crucial asset for us, and this is not the first time I have articulated that,” head coach Hansi Flick remarked. “We have truly felt his absence, as he consistently elevates both our game quality and vigor.”

Centre-back Andreas Christensen and playmakers Gavi and Pedri will be unavailable, alongside forward Marcus Rashford, who is nursing a knee problem.

Barcelona initial lineup: Garcia, Cunard, Ferran, Yamal, Raphinha, Fermin, Martin, Olmo, De Jong, Kounde, Eric

Barcelona reserve players: Cancelo, Balde, Araujo, Lewandowski, Casado, Bernal, Szczesny, Roony, Kochen, Tommy

Viewing Information for Girona Against Barcelona: Television Channel, Real-time Web Broadcast

The fixture begins on Monday at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), offering real-time broadcast in the UK via Premier Sports 1, with web streaming accessible on a multitude of gadgets through the Premier Sports app.

A Premier Sports membership is priced at £120 annually, or £11.99 monthly with a yearly commitment; alternatively, it is £16.99 on a month-to-month basis, necessitating 30 days’ advance notice for termination.

Girona Against Barcelona Statistics

• The previous three encounters of this fixture have resulted in victories for Barca
• The Blaugranes have claimed triumph in four of their recent five appearances at Montilivi Stadium in La Liga
• They have scored a minimum of three goals in 14 of their last 21 clashes against Spanish clubs
• Prior to that loss against Atleti, their 1-0 defeat at home to Leganes on December 15, 2024, marked the last occasion Barcelona were unable to find the net against a Spanish team
• The current Liga titleholders have struck the post or crossbar 23 times in 2025/26, matching the peak tally by this point in the campaign since at least the 2003/04 season
• This sum surpasses by five any rival club in Europe’s top five divisions this season (Manchester United have struck the frame of the goal 18 times)
• Pedri’s initial goal in their 2-1 victory at their stadium in this fixture in October represented Flick’s 200th goal for Barca. In just 71 matches, the German emerged as the third-quickest manager in history to achieve that milestone with the club
• Girona have remained undefeated in this encounter when played on a Monday (W2 D1)
• Only Oviedo (13), along with Rayo Vallecano and Alaves (both 21), have registered a lower goal count in the current season’s league than Girona (22)
• Having allowed 37 goals, Sevilla (39) stands as the sole team to have let in a greater number of goals than them in the premier division this campaign
• Each of their last five games has featured less than three goals, with the sole instance where they netted more than a single goal during that run occurring in their 2-0 triumph at Espanyol on January 16

Assessment: Can Girona Defeat Barcelona Unexpectedly?

Girona commenced the campaign poorly, enduring a streak of seven games without a victory, but subsequently rebounded to escape the relegation zone. Their most recent fixture saw them secure a 1-1 draw away at Sevilla, which followed an away loss to Oviedo and a 1-1 draw at home in prior games.

They demonstrate capability on their home turf, particularly as significant outsiders, having established an advantage in a 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid on November 30, where the aspirants for the championship required a Kylian Mbappe spot-kick to salvage a draw.

“Barca are more than simply Lamine Yamal,” manager Michel stated. “They possess the greatest squad depth in Europe and are frontrunners across numerous La Liga metrics.

He continued, “It’s a distinctive fixture – such is the truth. Competing with Barca, Madrid, and Atletico Madrid and securing a win represents a considerable advancement.

Michel added, “We require our supporters to be exceptionally fervent. They must endure alongside us and aid us in opposing Barca. We possess a strategy for troubling Barca, but we must implement it.”

Girona will be hoping Barca commence with the same sluggishness observed at Atleti, where they allowed all those goals prior to the interval and also saw Eric Garcia sent off with five minutes remaining.

The outcome proved surprising for a side that had been nearly flawless in their home league since November, having secured nine consecutive wins in La Liga before a 2-1 loss away to Real Sociedad on January 18, and subsequently achieving three triumphs with a combined score of 9-1.

Madrid exacerbated an already unmemorable week for Barca by securing a 4-1 victory at their stadium against Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Flick reiterated, “I am content with my squad. It’s evident my dissatisfaction with the initial half [at Atleti], but I am satisfied with our current season’s performance. We will regroup and recover.”

He continued, “Girona are a meticulously structured, courageous squad who adeptly build play from defense. We will have to be extremely focused and energetic.”

Flick concluded, “We suffered a loss on Thursday, and it served as an instruction, but existence continues. One must acknowledge the loss and maintain belief. We possess ample capability to surmount this setback.”

Upcoming Events: La Liga 2025/26 Matches Scheduled for This Week