FC Barcelona have had a full weekend to reflect on shock of losing 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Atlético Madrid, with this Catalan derby against Girona being this week's Monday night fixture.

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In the 9pm CET kick-off at Montilivi, Barça will be looking to hold onto top spot in La Liga, which they have hopefully only momentarily surrendered to Real Madrid, 4-1 victors over Real Sociedad on Saturday and currently two points clear with a game in hand.

Head to head

Curiously, despite the limited history between the two sides, this is the fourth time that Girona and Barça have met on a Monday. And history is against Barça, who failed to win any of the previous three, with just one draw and the other two going Girona's way.

That said, Barça have won their last three games against the club from just 100 km to the northeast of their own city. The last two were both played at the Estadi Lluís Companys, a 2-1 win earlier this season decided by a late goal from Ronald Araujo, and an emphatic 4-1 victory last season.

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HIGHLIGHTS | Barça v Girona

 

Barça have not been to Montilivi since September 2024, another 4-1 win thanks to a brace from Lamine Yamal and a goal apiece for Pedri and Olmo. Since Girona made their first ever appearance in the top flight in 2017, Barça have visited their ground five times so far and have won on four of those occasions. So history is very much on their side. Except on Mondays...

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HIGHLIGHTS | Girona v Barça

Girona form guide

When Girona were relegated in 2019, many expected their two seasons in La Liga to end up being nothing more than a historical anecdote. But three years later, they were back and have been here ever since, even reaching the dizzy heights of Champions League football.

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But last season was a struggle against relegation, and 2025-26 hasn't been any better. Their home form has been particularly disappointing, with just three league to date in front of their own fans. However, their coach for what have now been five years, Míchel, seems to be getting things sorted. With just one defeat from their last five outings (and four wins in their last eight), Girona have earned a bit of breathing space, and any points garnered from this fixture will do wonders for their survival prospects.

Team news

The main talking points at Barça concern Raphinha and Marcus Rashford, and coach Hansi Flick filled us in with the progress of both players during his pre-game press conference on Sunday. "Even though he is much better, Rashford won't be available" said the German. "But Raphinha can play. He is a very important player for us, it's not the first time I have said that. We have missed him in the games he hasn't been with us because he raises the level of play and the intensity." 

Longer-term casualties Pedri, Gavi and Andreas Christensen are certainly not going to feature.

Speaking more broadly about this game and the need to bounce back after the big defeat in the cup, Flick said "Girona are a well-organised team, brave, who play out from the back well. We will have to be very intense ... We lost on Thursday and it was a lesson, but life goes on. You have to accept the defeat and have confidence. We have a lot of quality to get over it”.

Girona have no shortage of injury concerns of their own. Goalkeepers Juan Carlos and Barça loanee Ter Stegen are both sidelined, as are outfield players Van de Beek, Portu, Ricard Artero and Álex Moreno. With question marks concerning the fitness of Ounahi and Fran Beltrán too, the home side are far from full strength for this game.

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