Barcelona vs Girona Clash: Team Lineups and Match Preview

A Quick Turnaround for Barcelona

Fresh off their victory against Osasuna on Thursday, the Barcelona squad has barely had 72 hours to recharge, in defiance of the usual rest regulations, before welcoming Girona. The match is crucial for Barcelona, aiming to maintain their top spot.

New Faces on the Field

Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has introduced four changes to the lineup for Sunday’s LaLiga match against Girona at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Gerard Martín, Eric García, Fermín López, and Robert Lewandowski are stepping in, replacing Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, the injured Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres from the team that triumphed over Osasuna with a 3-0 scoreline.

Rest and Recovery

With the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atlético Madrid looming on Wednesday at the Metropolitano, key players Pau Cubarsí, Frenkie de Jong, and Raphinha are taking a break.

Girona’s Strategy

For Girona, coach Míchel Sánchez has reintroduced Alejandro Francés and Yáser Asprilla to cover for the injured Iván Martín and Bojan Miovski. They are back in the starting lineup after several weeks, following their team’s 1-1 draw with Valencia before the international break.

Girona is determined to break their six-match winless streak and replicate last season’s stunning 4-2 victory at Barcelona.

Projected Starting XI

Barcelona: Szczesny; Koundé, Araújo, Íñigo Martínez, Martín; Eric García, Pedri, Gavi; Fermín, Lamine Yamal, and Lewandowski.

Girona: Gazzaniga; Arnau, Francés, Blind, Krejci, Miguel; Herrera, Arthur; Tsygankov, Asprilla; and Danjuma.

Referee: Juan Pulido Santana.

Stadium: Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Time: 10:15 ET | 8:15 Mexico.