Araujo, Bernal start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Girona | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Girona away at Estadi Montilivi later tonight in La Liga.

The Blaugrana go into the game reeling from a humbling 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.

With Real Madrid beating Real Sociedad convincingly on Saturday, they have leapfrogged Barça and opened up a two-point lead at the top of the table. And the Catalans will be eager to reclaim their spot at the summit.

Meanwhile, Girona find themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone, as they are currently 15th in the table, only two points clear of 18th-placed Mallorca.

Michel’s team have failed to win their last three matches and have only two victories in their previous seven.

So, Barcelona will go into the match as favourites, even more so considering that Hansi Flick will recover key winger Raphinha after he missed the last three games with injury. However, Pedri, Gavi, Marcus Rashford, and Andreas Christensen remain unavailable.

With that being said, here’s how the reigning La Liga champions could line up against their local rivals at Estadi Montilivi tonight.

Defence

Joan Garcia is an undisputed starter in goal for Barcelona, but will be looking to redeem himself after a forgetful display against Atletico Madrid in the cup tie last week.

Meanwhile, there could be a couple of alterations in the defensive line, especially with concerns growing with the performances of the full-backs.

Jules Kounde has been going through a lean patch, and Joao Cancelo does not seem to have convinced Flick, given his lack of minutes since arriving in January. As such, we could find Eric Garcia getting the nod at right-back tonight against Girona.

This should open up a starting spot for captain Ronald Araujo to start at centre-back, where he will be paired up with teenage prodigy Pau Cubarsi.

Back to the XI? (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde could continue at left-back as his attacking intent might be crucial on the flank, especially with Raphinha not guaranteed to start in the frontline.

Midfield

Marc Bernal is in line to start in midfield after Marc Casado had to endure a difficult night in Madrid, where he was even hooked off well before half-time by the manager.

The teenager has shown he is ready to play regularly and could benefit from a run of matches, with Frenkie de Jong expected to partner him in the double pivot for Barcelona.

Meanwhile, the No. 10 should be occupied by Dani Olmo, who will be hoping to have a greater influence in the final third of the pitch.

Attack

Lamine Yamal is a guaranteed starter on the right flank and will be aiming to produce a match-winning contribution after a rather quiet display against Atletico Madrid last week.

On the left side, Flick might avoid risking Raphinha from the start, even though he is back, given the Brazilian’s injury issues this term. And with no Marcus Rashford as well, Fermin Lopez is likely to start on the wings again tonight.

Up top, there could be a change, with Robert Lewandowski replacing Ferran Torres as the centre-forward for Barcelona against Girona.