La Liga Round 9: Barcelona to Host Girona with Seven Players Injured
La Liga’s 9th round takes place at Barcelona’s home ground, where they will face Girona. Seven players, including Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, are sidelined due to injuries. After suffering two consecutive defeats, Barcelona cannot afford any more slip-ups. Rashford, who scored in the last La Liga match, will look to find the net again.
Head-to-Head Record
The two sides have met 11 times in total, with Barcelona recording 7 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, scoring 35 goals and conceding 13. Last season, Barcelona achieved a double over their city rivals Girona, winning 4-1 both home and away.
Seven Injuries! Barcelona to Field a Weakened Squad in the Derby
Barcelona’s biggest challenge currently is injuries. In their home clash against Girona, seven players will be unavailable:
Marc-André ter Stegen is out with a back injury and won’t return until December.
Joan García has a torn medial meniscus in his left knee.
Gavi will return in February due to injury.
Raphinha is sidelined with a right hamstring injury.
Olmo suffers from a torn left soleus muscle.
Ferran Torres is out due to muscle overload.
Lewandowski cannot play after competing injured for the Polish national team.
The good news is that Yamal has resumed training and is fit to play, and Fermin, despite a left iliac muscle injury, has also returned to training. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is expected to adjust the tactical setup from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3, with Yamal, Rashford, and Fermin forming the front three.
Rashford to Lead the Attack, Eyeing Consecutive La Liga Goals
With Ferran Torres and Lewandowski sidelined, Barcelona has no regular strikers available. The 27-year-old Rashford is likely to be deployed as a makeshift center-forward. Since joining Barcelona on loan, Rashford has performed well, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist in two Champions League games, and in La Liga, he has 1 goal and 4 assists in 8 matches. In the last La Liga round, Barcelona suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to Sevilla, with Rashford scoring his first La Liga goal. Can he strike again in the upcoming city derby?
Avoiding a Third Consecutive Loss, Barcelona Chasing Real Madrid
In their last two matches, Barcelona lost 1-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and 1-4 to Sevilla in La Liga, suffering back-to-back defeats. At home against Girona, Barcelona cannot afford any mistakes. Girona’s La Liga form has been mediocre, with only 6 points, far behind Barcelona’s 19 points from 8 matches. Therefore, Barcelona’s goal for this game is to secure all 3 points and continue chasing leaders Real Madrid.
Predicted Lineup
Barcelona: Szczesny; Koundé, Eric García, Cubas, Baldé; Cascado, Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Rashford, Fermin
