| Barcelona vs Girona | |
|
MATCH INFO |
|
|
MATCH :
|
Barcelona vs Girona
|
|
COMPETITION :
|
La Liga
|
| DATE: |
17-02-2026
|
|
TIME:
|
01.30 AM IST
12.00 AM UAE
|
|
STADIUM
|
Montilivi
|
Girona will head into the Catalan derby severely depleted, with several key first-team players sidelined through injury. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos remains unavailable due to a knee problem, while Donny van de Beek continues his recovery from a serious Achilles injury. The hosts are also without experienced attacker Portu, who is nursing a knee issue, and defender Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is ruled out with a hamstring strain. Alex Moreno (muscle) and Ricard Artero (ankle) further add to Girona’s growing injury list, limiting the squad depth available for this high-profile clash.
There is still uncertainty surrounding Azzedine Ounahi, who is dealing with a calf concern. The Moroccan midfielder will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he can feature, with the coaching staff expected to make a final decision closer to kickoff.
Despite the injury setbacks, Girona can draw positives from their recent outing against Sevilla, where Thomas Lemar found the back of the net. The Frenchman’s performance is likely to earn him another start as he looks to build momentum. Up front, Ukrainian striker Vladyslav Vanat is set to spearhead the attack once again, tasked with leading the line and providing a focal point in the final third.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are also grappling with notable absentees. Midfield prodigy Gavi remains out with a long-term knee injury, while Andreas Christensen is still recovering from his own knee problem. Pedri, another crucial component of Barcelona’s midfield engine, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, depriving the visitors of creativity and control in central areas.
There are additional concerns for the Blaugrana regarding Raphinha and Marcus Rashford. Raphinha is struggling with a groin issue, while Rashford is dealing with a knee problem, leaving both players as major doubts for the trip. At this stage, it appears unlikely that either attacker will be risked from the start, or potentially even included in the matchday squad.
Head coach Hansi Flick is expected to shuffle his defensive setup in response to the injury situation. Gerard Martin could be drafted into the backline to reinforce the defensive unit, while Eric Garcia may be pushed forward into a central midfield role to provide structural balance and ball progression.
With Raphinha and Rashford unlikely to feature, Barcelona’s attacking configuration could see Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez handed starting opportunities. Their creativity and movement between the lines will be vital in breaking down Girona’s defensive structure. Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, however, may not start the match, with Flick potentially opting to use him as an impact substitute. Ferran Torres is expected to lead the attack initially, with Lewandowski ready to be introduced later to provide a clinical edge in the closing stages.
As both sides contend with injury-hit squads, the Catalan derby still promises intensity and tactical intrigue, with squad rotation and in-game adjustments likely to play a decisive role in the final outcome.