It is the derby of pressure for Barcelona (3rd) and the derby of enthusiasm for Girona (2nd), which arrives at Montuïc with the possibility of being the sole leader after the draw that Real Madrid signed on Saturday against Betis. The monopoly of the ball, the imposition of style and the good moment of both are opposed this Sunday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys where Míchel's men will seek their first victory ever against the Catalans and the Barcelona fans, to confirm their good feelings.
Xavi Hernández's Barça, which hit rock bottom with its European defeat in Hamburg against Shakhtar, has recovered by offering good feelings in the victories against Porto, which have opened the doors to the round of 16 of the Champions League, and especially against the Atlético de Madrid in the League. And Xavi's men have had to live with the loss of their captain, German goalkeeper Marc André ter Stegen, who will be inactive for about two months after undergoing surgery for a back problem. The good news has been the performance of his replacement. Iñaki Peña, decisive in the last three games. Today he adds his fourth ownership.
Ter Stegen is not Xavi's only absence, he also has Gavi's long-term absence, Íñigo Martínez, who has muscle problems and will be inactive for the rest of the year, and Marcos Alonso, who has back problems. Yes, there will be Ronald Araújo, who will play with a protective mask, and Andreas Christensen, who is making his new fatherhood. The young central defender Pau Cubarsí, 16 years old, has also entered the list.
With this map, Xavi, against Girona, will use the same drawing that has given him such good results against Porto and Atlético de Madrid. A defense with three center backs, Koundé, Araujo, Christensen and a left-handed back, Cancelo.
In the midfield, Xavi seems to have found the formula for success with three players: Gundogan, De Jong and Pedri. The German and the Dutchman share the midfield position and the Canarian plays further forward.
In attack, Lewandowski, although not at his best, is stable. As well as João Félix, who is once again in his sweet form - two goals in the last two games. On the right, Xavi repeats with Raphinha. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are waiting on the bench.
The FC Barcelona eleven: Iñaki Peña; Kound, Araujo, Christensen, John Cancelo; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski and John Felix.
Opposite will be the best Girona in history, who will want to add their first victory against Barcelona. Whatever happens, Míchel's men will come out ahead of the Blaugrana on matchday sixteen, because four points separate them both in the standings.
Furthermore, after Real Madrid's draw against Betis, Los Rojiblancos want to win to regain the lead in the League alone and to complete their tenth game without defeat. They have only had one this season, on September 30 against Madrid (0-3) in the only game without seeing a goal.
Girona is the only team, not counting Real Madrid, Barça and Atlético de Madrid, that has achieved 12 wins in the first 15 games in the history of the Spanish tournament with Athletic Club (1955-1956). He already has 34 goals in LaLiga, more than anyone else, and 41 between LaLiga and the Copa del Rey: 2.4 per game.
The team will visit Barcelona after adding the eighth consecutive away victory between LaLiga and the Cup and the seventh comeback in 17 games, against Orihuela in the Cup (2-5) and with goals from Pablo Torre, Portu, Valery and a double from Stuani . He had already scored two goals in Saturday's comeback against Valencia at home (2-1), in his usual role as a catalyst and substitute for the Ukrainian Dovbyk.
Without Pablo Torre, with a fear clause, Yan Couto is the great candidate to cover the absence of the injured Yangel Herrera in Míchel's eleven. Borja García, Toni Villa, Ricard Artero, Joel Roca and Jastin García are also out due to injury.
Girona has a record against Barça of four defeats and two draws, in the last two visits to the Camp Nou (2-2 in 2018 and 0-0 last season).
The XI of Girona FC: Gazzaniga; Eric Garcia, David Lopez, Blind; Yan Couto, Iván Martín, Aleix Garcia, Miguel; Tsygankov, Dovbyk and Savinho.
