FC Barcelona

Barcelona confirmed starting lineup vs Girona today in LaLiga

Raphinha returns from injury with Hansi Flick tweaking the Barça team after Thursday’s Copa del Rey setback.

Raphinha returns from injury with Hansi Flick tweaking the Barça team after Thursday’s Copa del Rey setback.
Alejandro García

Raphinha is, as expected, the headline addition to Hansi Flick’s starting XI on Monday night at Montilivi, where Barcelona face Girona looking to steady the ship after a painful Copa del Rey setback.

The Brazilian winger returns after missing two weeks with a minor right adductor strain, and his comeback could not come at a better time. Flick is counting on one of his most reliable weapons to help the team mentally erase Thursday’s meltdown against Atlético Madrid. With Raphinha in the starting lineup this season, Barcelona have yet to lose.

A timely boost for Flick

Beyond Raphinha’s return, Flick had also weighed up several tweaks to the side that took the field at the Metropolitano against Atlético.

Up front, Robert Lewandowski has not reclaimed his spot from Ferran Torres, with the Spaniard keeping his place.

Fermín López, one of the few bright spots in the Copa defeat, does keep his place in the attacking midfield role. His work rate and composure stood out in an otherwise difficult night for the Blaugrana. Dani Olmo starts alongside him.

Defensive questions remain

Gerard Martín steps into the starting XI, while Ronald Araujo must wait for his chance.

Pau Cubarsí and Eric García have formed a steady central pairing, flanked by fullbacks Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde. However, it is Martín who starts over his compatriot.

Guaranteed starters

Two names are virtually always guaranteed to start: goalkeeper Joan García and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and this game is no different.

Both will have extra motivation. Joan García is eager to bounce back after conceding four goals last time out, while Yamal will look to reignite his scoring touch after seeing his five goals in five games streak come to an end Thursday.

For Barcelona, today is about more than three points. It is about restoring confidence, reasserting control in the LaLiga title race, and proving that one brutal night in the Copa does not define their season.

Confirmed Barcelona XI to face Girona on February 16

GK: Joan García

DEF: Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Martín

MID: De Jong, Olmo, López

ATT: Yamal, Ferran, Raphinha

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