Three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona | La Liga MD24 | OneFootball

The first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal for Barcelona was a horrific experience – one that is better off erased from the minds of players and fans.

Taking a 0-4 hammering in the game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Barcelona not only virtually gave away their Copa del Rey hopes but also took the momentum off their side.

They now continue their run on the road to face Girona later tonight – an opponent who is winless in three games.

That said, however, Barcelona too enter on a mental low and will be vulnerable in the opening phase of the game.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona.

Lessons to be learnt

If there is one game that Barcelona must reflect on deeply and learn from their mistakes, it is indeed their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid.

As Hansi Flick made clear in his post-match press confidently, his men were simply not up for the task midweek and put up a show that was far inferior to what Los Rojiblancos put up.

Barcelona need to get back to winning ways. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Fingers can be pointed at external factors, but the fact remains that the Catalans did not deserve any lead or win on the night.

Barcelona were outplayed by Atletico Madrid on the night, who pressed with intent, passion and a deep drive to win. Flick’s side, however, was slow and lethargic and always came out second-best in the half-chances.

Neither was the team’s press on the night coordinated and relentless, nor was the defence cohesive in any manner. Individual errors across the field only worsened the scenario for them and saw them concede four goals in 45 minutes.

Lessons, at this point, have to be learnt and it will be interesting to see how the team respond after facing such a humiliation in the cup. 

If the team is motivated enough and takes the defeat the right way, they should come out with more desire to undo their errors and play their hearts out tomorrow with dominance. 

The captain returns

Raphinha will return against Girona. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The Barcelona manager made it very clear in the pre-game conference that he saw Raphinha as the best player in the world for last season, and thus made it clear that the team is very different with and without the Brazilian.

After all, the team’s intensity undeniably falls without his leadership, and it is no surprise that all but one of the team’s defeats this season came when he was not in the squad.

Raphinha has been out since the game against Albacete, and the manager decided not to risk and rush him back for the game against Atletico Madrid midweek. He is, however, cleared now and will be available again.

Needless to say, this comes as massive news for the manager’s plans and for Barcelona and Lamine Yamal.

His presence, after all, adds dynamism, pace, good finishing and leadership – all of which Barcelona are in dire need of. 

It is unlikely that Raphinha starts, but he will come off the bench quite early, given that Marcus Rashford is not available, and it will be interesting to see how long the manager deems him fit to play for.

A possible change at full-back

If there is one department that particularly let the team down midweek, it was the full-back position.

While it is indeed true that the entire team played exceedingly poorly, it was Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde who were exposed and left red-faced time and time again.

Will Joao Cancelo start? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The duo had simply no answers to Atletico Madrid’s pacey wingers, counterattacks and dynamic dribbling.

At this point in the season, one is forced to wonder if Flick must start considering alternate setups.

Balde has been quite good for the team in recent weeks, and one of the reasons he was exposed the way he was midweek was that the team did not have a natural winger to add depth on the left flank.

With no attacking threat up wide, Balde was forced to overstep in attack and was left compromised at the back.

Kounde’s case, however, is completely different as he has looked like a shadow of his former self all season.

Flick does trust him, but one is forced to wonder if it is time to consider a change in the department, at least for the time being.

Joao Cancelo is an option to start in place of Kounde tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if Flick sees the Portuguese international as a viable option on that front at least.

The Frenchman, after all, could use some rest and space for a mental reset.

Balde, meanwhile, necessitates repositioning more than being replaced and could thus start at left-wing if Raphinha does not start.

In that way, he can carry out his attack play while having the likes of Gerard Martin taking care of defence – thus distributing duties for better results.