He Girona and the Barcelonathird and second with 71 and 73 points, respectively, will face each other this Saturday in the Catalan derby of the thirty-fourth day of the Spanish league and with our sights set on second position and the last ticket to travel to Saudi Arabia to dispute the next Spain Supercup.
Those of Xavi Hernandez They are experiencing a turbulent end to the season. Removed from the Champions and without options in the League After their defeat at the Bernabeu in the worst way (3-2), they at least have the incentive of being runners-up, against a team that beat them 2-4 in the first round in one of the team’s most complete matches. Michel Sanchez.
The Blaugrana, who already knew that they could not count on the long-term absentees Gavi and Balde, as well as Frenkie de Jongis out due to an injury and that leaves him without options for the remainder of the season, they will be pending Vitor Roque.
The Brazilian, who has barely counted for Xavi Hernandez, attended training on Friday, but was unable to exercise due to an unspecified health problem. However, the coach called him up this Saturday for the duel.
The Barcelona fans need the victory to get rid of the bad taste in their mouths of the 2-4 in the first round, against the revelation team of the Spanish football season, which has led the championship for some days, but above all that has shown a different way of seeing football.
The team of Xavi Hernandez will not admit too many modifications from what was measured before the Valencia (4-2), a match in which he especially shone Robert Lewandowskiauthor of a triplet.
In defense, consolidated Cubarsi and Araujo on the axis; with the loss of Balde, the controversial Joao Cancelo He is the owner of the left side and Koundé the usual one on the right.
Christensenconverted from center back to midfielder, will once again be in front of the defense and shielded by Gundogan and Fermin, which are at a good level. In the spinal cord it would be possible that Pedri He will occupy the youth squad’s position.
Up front, no changes are expected either, with the trio formed by Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinhaone of the best Barça players in this final stretch of the season.
Montilivi’s team, immersed in the best year in its history, has already sealed its European qualification, two weeks ago against Cádiz (4-1), and finishing in the top five, a week ago against Las Palmas (0-2 ). Now he wants to certify his participation in the Champions League.
Qualification for the Champions League, goal and dream in equal parts, according to Michel Sanchezit will be a reality if the Girona equals or improves the result of the Basque team in this Friday’s duel in Getafe.
The rojiblancos, in only their fourth year in the elite, have broken all expectations and all their records: there are five games left and they already have 20 more points than in their best season in First Division (51, 2017-2018). But neither the team nor the city want to stop there. Just one step away from securing Champions there is still room to get excited about the Super Cup.
The precedents, four victories for the Barçatwo draws and one victory Gironathey point out that it will not be easy, but the victory was in the last duel: in December and by 2-4, with goals from Artem Dovbyk (19) – top scorer ahead of Jude Bellingham and Alexander Sorloth (17) and Robert Lewandowski (16 )-, Miguel Gutiérrez, Valery Fernández and Cristhian Stuani.
The three games in Montilivi have ended in a Barça victory, although with an increasingly smaller margin: 0-3 in 2017, 0-2 in 2019 and 0-1 in 2023. And this season the red-and-white stadium is a fortress: Girona, Undefeated at home since September, they have won four at home and have a record of 14 wins in 17 games at Montilivi.
Michel He will not be able to count on Jhon Solís, who will miss the rest of the season due to a muscle injury to his left quadriceps, Cristhian Stuani and Borja García, who are injured, nor Pablo Torre, due to the ‘fear clause’.
– Probable alignments:
Girona FC: Gazzaniga; Èric, David López, Blind, Miguel; Aleix García; Yan Couto, Iván Martín, Herrera, Sávio; Dovbyk.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Christensen, Gündogan, Fermín; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal.
Referee: Hernández Hernández (Canarian committee).
Hour: 10.30 AM.
Transmit: Vix Premium Tigo Sports and Sky Sports.
Stadium: Montilivi Stadium.
