La Liga | Gameweek 29

Mar 30, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Barcelona vs Girona

Match preview

Barcelona made it five wins in a row in all competitions with a 3-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday night, with Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski on the scoresheet in the rearranged fixture.

The result moved Hansi Flick's side three points clear at the top of the standings, but an extraordinary situation could see the result overturned, with Osasuna investigating whether Inigo Martinez was ineligible to play.

Article 5 of the FIFA regulations states that a player who has been ruled out of his national team through injury may not play for his club team until five days after the last match for his country, and Martinez was ruled out of La Roja's squad for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands because of a knee problem.

However, Barcelona are believed to be confident that they have received permission from Spain to play Martinez and it would be a shock if they were to be penalised.

Flick's men cannot afford to take their eye off the ball at this stage of the season, as they travel to Atletico Madrid next week for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, which is tied at 4-4.

Barcelona then host Real Betis in La Liga before hosting Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 9 April, with the Catalan giants looking to complete a treble this season.

Girona, meanwhile, were last seen in action on 15 March when they drew 1-1 with Valencia, and Michel's side have now shared the points in each of their last three top-flight games.

The Catalans enjoyed an exceptional campaign in 2023-24, finishing third in the league, but this season has been far more difficult for the White and Reds, who sit 13th in the table on 34 points.

Girona are 10 points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis, meaning that unless something extraordinary happens in the final weeks of the season, European football will not be on offer at the club, and they are just seven points above the relegation zone.

Michel's side are on a three-match unbeaten run, but they have won just once in all competitions since 11 January and have won just one of their last nine league games, five of which have ended in defeat.

Girona have faced Barcelona only 10 times in their history, but they have won twice and completed a famous La Liga double over their Catalan rivals in 2023-24.

Barcelona ran out 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture earlier this season, however, and the hosts have scored an average of over three goals per game against Girona throughout their history.

Recent Performance

Barcelona La Liga form:WWWWWW

Barcelona form (all competitions):DWWWWW

Girona La Liga form:LLLDDD

Team News

Barcelona will have Raphinha available for Sunday's game after the Brazilian missed the match against Osasuna due to international duty, and the striker is expected to return on the left flank.

Pau Cubarsi is also available as the ankle injury he suffered while representing Spain during the international break is minor, while Ronald Araujo, who came off the bench against Osasuna, is another option at the back.

Barcelona suffered a fresh injury blow against Osasuna when Olmo was forced off in the first half with an adductor problem and the Spain international will be out for the next three weeks.

Lewandowski is set to return to the side after coming off the bench on Thursday night, but Andreas Christensen, Marc Casado, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal remain unavailable.

Girona will be without Abel Ruiz, Jhon Solis and Ivan Martin through injury, while Donny van de Beek is suspended after receiving a late yellow card against Valencia last time out.

Martin's absence means that head coach Michel will have to make at least one change to the side that started against Los Che, with Oriol Romeu likely to be brought in to strengthen the midfield.

Cristhian Stuani scored four times for Girona against Barcelona, and the experienced striker also came off the bench to score in the draw with Valencia, so he could start in the middle of the park.

Possible starting lineup

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Blind, Krejci, Gutierrez; Herrera, Romeu, Arthur; Tsygankov, Stuani, Danjuma