Barcelona would heal some wounds with a win over Girona

Looking to bounce back from a stunning Copa del Rey setback, Barcelona will return to La Liga action on Monday night with a clash against Catalan neighbors Girona.

Hansi Flick’s side sit atop the La Liga table, a single point ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, while Girona occupy 12th place. The visitors have enjoyed a recent resurgence under Michel, claiming six wins, eight draws, and nine defeats from 23 league matches in the 2025-26 season.

Girona have won four of their last eight league games, losing only twice during that stretch, but the relegation zone remains uncomfortably close, just four points separating them from 18th-placed Rayo Vallecano.

Girona come into this fixture after a 1-1 draw with Sevilla and a 1-1 home stalemate against Getafe at the end of January. Their home form has been a weak point this season, with just 13 points from 11 matches and only three victories.

In contrast, Barcelona boast the second-best away record in La Liga, collecting 25 points from 12 road games. The reigning champions have won their last three league matches and remain top of the table. However, their confidence has taken a hit after a shocking 4-0 first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday. Trailing by four goals at halftime, Barcelona struggled to recover, leaving them with a steep uphill battle to reach the final.

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For now, La Liga is the priority. Barcelona will aim for a ninth victory over Girona, who have only beaten the Catalan giants twice in history. Squad news is a concern for both sides: Girona will be without Juan Carlos (knee), Donny van de Beek (Achilles), Portu (knee), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (hamstring), Alex Moreno (muscle), and Ricard Artero (ankle).

Barcelona, meanwhile, remain without Gavi (knee), Andreas Christensen (knee), and Pedri (hamstring), while Raphinha (groin) and Marcus Rashford (knee) are major doubts.

It seems unlikely that Raphinha or Rashford will feature, opening the door for Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez to start, with Robert Lewandowski potentially coming on in the final third in place of Ferran Torres.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 24

Friday

Elche - Osasuna 0-0

Saturday

Espanyol - Celta 2-2 (0-1)

/Garcia 66, Dolan 86 - Jutgla 38, Iglesias 90+3/

Getafe - Villareal 2-1 (1-0)

/Arambarri 41 pen, Satriano 53 - Mikautadze 76/

Sevilla - Alaves 1-1 (1-0)

/Sow 42 - Martinez 60/

Real Madrid - Sociedad 4-1 (3-1)

/Garcia 5, Vinicius 25 pen, 48 pen, Valverde 31 - Oyarzabal 21 pen/

Sunday

Oviedo - Athletic Bilbao 1-2 (1-0)

/Chaira 30 - Jauregizar 58, Sancet 71 pen/

Rayo Vallecano - Atletico Madrid 3-0 (2-0)

/Perez 40, Valentin 45, Mendy 76/

Levante - Valencia 0-2 (0-0)

/Ramazani 64, Sadiq 84/

Mallorca - Betis 1-2 (0-2)

/Muriqi 66 - Ezzalzouli 18, Bakambu 45+2/

Monday

23.00: (7.00) Girona (5.50) Barcelona (1.38)

***odds are subject to change***