FC Barcelona Vs Girona Preview: Barca on a mission to maintain their winning run

FC Barcelona has had a brilliant start in the 2024/25 campaign, and they would be looking to maintain it further. On a winning streak of four games, the Blaugrana club is ready to take on Girona in an away fixture. With the key Blaugrana players coming from a successful international break, hopes would be significant for them to make it five out of five by winning against Girona.

FC Barcelona Vs Girona Preview

FC Barcelona is set to kick off their fifth fixture of the 2024/25 campaign against Girona on 15th September at 14:15 UTC in the Estadi Montilivi stadium. Kicking off, after the international break, against Girona in an away fixture, it wouldn't be easy for the Blaugrana club to grab the complete 3 points. Given the past few matchups between the two, it would certainly take a collective effort from Flick's side, performing as they have been, to beat Catalan rivals at the Montilivi. The Blaugrana club, arriving on the matchday, being the table toppers, would want to defend their lead of 4 points.

Talking about the club's potential lineup against Girona, there could be significant changes from Hansi Flick, keeping the view of a tight schedule ahead. As has been the performance of the duo of veteran Inigo Martinez and the talented Pau Cubarsi, they could be offered another start easily. However, Gerard Martin, who has been impressing a lot, could be given a start by the German mastermind to ease Balde's workload. The rest two positions are a no-brainer, with Jules Kounde coming in the right-back role and Ter Stegen guarding the Barcelona goal.

Moving to the midfield' quite a few changes could be made by Flick here. Since Marc Bernal's ACL injury, Casado has been pairing up with Catalan star Pedri in Barca's double pivot system; however, with Eric Garcia being a suitable option, it seems difficult to guess the pivot starter alongside Pedri. Even though Garcia isn't tailor-made for this role, Flick can pick him, in rotation to Casado, to manage the youngster's game minutes.

While Olmo has been adorning the attacking midfield role since he debuted, Flick could prefer Ferran in the role for the fixture. Considering Olmo's knock, which he faced while playing for Spain, the manager could go for the in-form Ferran Torres. For the front three, it is much clearer that Lamine Yamal and Raphinha would be joining in from the right and left wings, respectively, in the attack force spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski.

Scoreline Prediction

Analyzing last season's matchups between the two Catalan Giants, Girona and Barca, both have won one game each. But, this season, scenarios have been much different from the past; while Girona has returned much stronger from just a single point in the first 2 games to have 7 points after 4 games, Barca has been performing on a whole different level. Thus, it could be a 2-1 result in favor of the Blaugrana club on the 5th matchday.