PREVIEW | Girona v FC Barcelona

La Liga is back after a place in the semi finals of the Copa del Rey was secured in midweek thanks to Barça's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou. Xavi Hernández's team visit Girona in a game that kicks off at 4.15pm CET in the Estadi Montilivi, a game that will also see the blaugranes show off their new fourth kit whilst attempting to maintain their excellent run of recent results. 

Girona FC

The side coached by Míchel have not lost at home since October of last year, a run of five successive matches in the Estadi Montilivi in which they have picked up nine of a possible 15 points. 

At the moment they find themselves in 11th place in the table on 21 points, four points above the relegation zone and some seven points off the European places in La Liga. The Catalans will be without the suspended former Barça man Santi Bueno with David López and Renier also missing. However, the squad still boasts names such as former Barça and Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu, ex-Man City midfielder Aleix Garcia and this season's top scorer and Girona legend Cristhian Stuani. 

Previous meetings

Girona have never beaten FC Barcelona in four meetings in La Liga, their best result a 2-2 draw at Spotify Camp Nou back in September of 2019. The two previous games in the Estadi Montilivi both ended with Barça taking all three points. 

Barça team news 

Coach Xavi Hernández named a 22 man squad for the trip to Girona with no places for the suspended Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. However, there are spots for 18 year old goalkeeper Ander Astralaga and fellow 18 year old Ángel Alarcón who recently signed a contract extension to keep him at the Club until 2025. 

Xavi says 

"Everyone is important," said the Barça coach ahead Saturday's away game in La Liga, hinting that there may be changes to the starting line up against Girona.