HP Terbaru 2023 – Barca face fellow Catalans Girona in bid to take back top spot

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By Ross Kilvington

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Real Madrid moved to the summit after an impressive 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday evening, putting the pressure back on Barcelona.

Earlier this season, Hansi Flick’s side won the reverse fixture 2-1, although they had to rely on a 93^rd minute goal by Ronald Araújo to seal all three points.

Barcelona will want to put midweek humiliation behind them

In recent weeks, everything has appeared rosy for Barcelona. The club have emerged as favourites for the league title, while finishing fifth in the Champions League group stage.

Enter Atlético Madrid. In the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek, Diego Simeone’s men dominated Barcelona at the Metropolitano.

A clinical first half display which featured goals from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, Julián Alvarez and an own goal from Eric García saw the home side lead 4-0 at the break.

No further goals were scored and Barcelona have a mountain to climb if they wish to defend the trophy they won last season.

The away side can find solace in their superb league form, however, winning their previous three matches, scoring nine and conceding just one goal.

Lamine Yamal has been on fire across those games, scoring in each one and it looks as though he is peaking at precisely the right time.

With 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season, the teenager could be pivotal over the next few months.

Can Girona spring a surprise?

Girona currently occupy 15^th place in the league table, just two points above the relegation zone, but they will be looking to take advantage of a shellshocked Barcelona.

The away side could start with a hangover from their midweek defeat in the Copa del Rey, something which Girona could take full advantage of.

Girona haven’t defeated Barcelona since December 2023 and this was only their second ever victory over them.

Their hopes will be pinned on striker Vladyslav Vanat, who has scored eight goals for Girona this season.

They will have to improve on their home form to stand any chance of getting a result, having won just three of their 11 league games in Girona.

Team news

Barcelona loanee Marc-André ter Stegen, Portu, Juan Carlos, Donny van de Beek, Àlex Moreno and Ricard Artero are all absent for Girona this evening.

Azzedine Ounahi faces a late fitness test to see whether he will be ready to feature.

For Barcelona, Andreas Christensen, Gavi and Pedri are unavailable. Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford and Raphinha are major doubts, which means Flick will have some rejigging to do ahead of this match.

Prediction

The 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid was certainly a shock, but this clash against Girona represents the ideal chance for Barcelona to bounce back to winning ways.

Girona will make it tricky, but the away side have so much firepower within their ranks: Girona 1-3 Barcelona.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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