Barcelona vs. Girona | La Liga | Pre Match
Barcelona vs. Girona
Barcelona will be bidding to continue their excellent form when they welcome Catalan rivals Girona to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday afternoon. The Blaugrana are riding high at the top of the La Liga table, showcasing a level of dominance that has become characteristic of their play under manager Hansi Flick this season. Their most recent outing saw them dismantle Osasuna with a convincing 3-0 victory on Thursday night, a result that further solidified their position as league leaders. Goals from Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and the ever-reliable Robert Lewandowski highlighted the depth and attacking prowess within the squad, with each player contributing to a performance that left little room for doubt about Barcelona’s current form. This win extended their streak to five consecutive victories across all competitions, a testament to the consistency and quality Flick has instilled in his team. However, the match was not without its controversies, as Osasuna has raised questions about the eligibility of Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez, who played despite withdrawing from Spain’s national team due to a knee injury earlier in the month. According to Article 5 of FIFA regulations, a player who pulls out of international duty due to injury should not feature for their club until five days after their country’s last match, a rule that Osasuna believes may have been breached. Barcelona, for their part, remain confident that they secured the necessary permissions from the Spanish Football Federation to field Martinez, and it seems unlikely that the result will be overturned. Nevertheless, this situation adds an intriguing subplot to an already highly anticipated Catalan derby, as Barcelona look to maintain their momentum heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
Blaugrana beat Osasuna 3-0 on Thursday night to move three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table, while Girona occupy 13th spot, boasting 34 points from their 28 league matches. The victory over Osasuna was a rearranged fixture, one that allowed Barcelona to capitalize on their current form and widen the gap at the summit of the standings. Real Madrid, their perennial rivals, remain hot on their heels, but Barcelona’s three-point cushion provides a psychological edge as the season progresses into its decisive phases. For Girona, however, the campaign has been a far cry from the heights they reached last term. After an extraordinary 2023-24 season that saw them finish third and secure a historic qualification for European competition, Michel’s side has struggled to replicate that magic. With 34 points from 28 matches, they sit in a mid-table position that reflects their inconsistency this year. The 13th spot is a disappointing return for a team that dazzled La Liga with their attacking flair and resilience just a season ago, and they now find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the European places. The seven-point buffer above the drop zone offers some comfort, but their inability to string together wins has left them in a precarious position. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s dominance over Osasuna showcased their ability to blend defensive solidity with clinical finishing, a combination that has made them the team to beat in Spain this season. As they prepare to face Girona, the Blaugrana will be wary of complacency, knowing that their rivals have the potential to cause an upset, as they did during last season’s memorable league double over the Catalan giants.
Barcelona made it five straight wins in all competitions with a 3-0 success over Osasuna on Thursday night, with Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski on the scoresheet for the Catalan giants in the rearranged fixture. The result has moved Hansi Flick's side three points clear at the top of the table, but an extraordinary situation could potentially see the result overturned, with Osasuna investigating whether Inigo Martinez was ineligible for the contest. The controversy stems from Martinez’s withdrawal from Spain’s squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash with the Netherlands, citing a knee issue that should have, in theory, sidelined him for the Osasuna match. FIFA’s regulations are clear on this matter, stipulating a mandatory rest period, yet Barcelona’s decision to play him has sparked debate. The club’s confidence in their compliance with the rules suggests they have documentation or communication from Spain’s football authorities to back their case, and most observers expect the matter to be resolved in their favor. For Flick, the focus remains on the pitch, where his team is firing on all cylinders. The Osasuna win was a statement of intent, with Torres continuing his resurgence, Olmo proving his worth since joining the club, and Lewandowski adding to his tally as one of Europe’s premier strikers. However, the injury to Olmo during the match—he was forced off in the first half with an adductor problem—casts a shadow over their preparations for Girona. Expected to miss three weeks, his absence could test Barcelona’s squad depth, though the return of players like Raphinha and Lewandowski to the starting lineup offers reassurance. With a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid looming next week, currently poised at 4-4, and a Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, Barcelona’s treble ambitions remain very much alive, making every match a critical step in their journey.
Girona, meanwhile, were last in action on March 15, playing out a 1-1 draw with Valencia, and Michel's side have now shared the points in each of their last three games in Spain's top flight. That result encapsulates their season thus far—a campaign marked by draws and defeats rather than the victories that defined their previous year. The White and Reds have found it tough to recapture the form that saw them finish third, with only one win in all competitions since January 11 and a meager single victory in their last nine league outings. Five of those matches ended in losses, highlighting a lack of cutting edge and defensive frailty that has plagued them throughout 2024-25. Sitting 10 points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis, their hopes of European football next season are fading fast, and the seven-point gap to the relegation zone is a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in La Liga. Michel, a manager lauded for his tactical acumen last season, faces a stern test to turn things around, and the trip to face Barcelona represents a daunting challenge. Historically, Girona have met Barcelona just 10 times, but their two victories—both coming in last season’s league double—offer a glimmer of hope. However, Barcelona’s 4-1 triumph in the reverse fixture earlier this term, coupled with their historical average of over three goals per game against Girona, underscores the uphill battle Michel’s men face. Injuries to key players like Abel Ruiz, Jhon Solis, and Ivan Martin, along with Donny van de Beek’s suspension, further weaken their hand, though Cristhian Stuani’s scoring record against Barcelona could see him handed a rare start.
Barcelona are set to have Raphinha available for Sunday's match, with the Brazilian missing out against Osasuna due to international commitments, and the forward is expected to return down the left. Pau Cubarsi’s minor ankle injury won’t keep him out, while Ronald Araujo provides another defensive option after being an unused substitute last time out. However, the loss of Olmo joins a list of absentees that includes Andreas Christensen, Marc Casado, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal, testing Flick’s squad management. For Girona, the absence of Martin forces at least one change, with Oriol Romeu potentially stepping into midfield to add stability against Barcelona’s potent attack. Stuani’s experience could be key, but facing a Barcelona side in such scintillating form, Girona will need more than individual heroics to pull off a result. As the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys prepares to host this latest chapter in the Catalan rivalry, all eyes will be on whether Barcelona can maintain their march toward glory or if Girona can summon the spirit of last season to upset the odds.
