FC Barcelona vs Girona FC Lineups: Predicted Starting XI
The Catalan derby between Girona and Barcelona always carries a bit more bite since that December night in 2023 when Girona ran riot at Estadi Montilivi. With both sides set to clash again on February 16, 2026, the tactical setup and starting XIs — based on confirmed reports and cross-referenced sources — will decide whether Barcelona can avoid a repeat of that 4‑2 shocker.
Last match result: Barcelona 2-4 Girona (Dec 10, 2023) ·
Barcelona formation (last match): 4-2-1-3 ·
Girona formation (last match): 4-2-3-1
Quick snapshot
- Girona defeated Barcelona 4-2 on December 10, 2023 (FotMob (live football scores platform))
- Barcelona’s projected XI: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde; De Jong, Olmo; Yamal, Fermín, Ferran Torres, Raphinha (Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet))
- Girona’s likely XI: Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Martinez; Martin, Witsel; Tsygankov, Lemar, Gil; Vanat (Athlon Sports (sports coverage))
- Who caused the penalty for Barcelona in the last match (not specified in reports)
- Whether Lamine Yamal’s penalty in a video title refers to this match or another (unconfirmed)
- December 10, 2023 – Girona beats Barcelona 4-2 for the first time in LaLiga (FotMob) (Athlon Sports (sports coverage))
- February 16, 2026 – Girona vs Barcelona at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi (Athlon Sports (sports coverage))
- Matchday: February 16, 2026, 20:00 UTC at Montilivi (FotMob)
- Broadcast options: ESPN Deportes, fuboTV, and regional channels (Athlon Sports)
Four key data points, one pattern: Girona’s 2023 win was built on a compact 4-2-3-1 that overloaded Barcelona’s fragile midfield.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last result | Barcelona 2-4 Girona (Dec 10, 2023) |
| Barcelona formation (last match) | 4-2-1-3 |
| Girona formation (last match) | 4-2-3-1 |
| Date of last match | December 10, 2023 |
| Venue (next match) | Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona |
| Barcelona projected formation (Feb 2026) | 4-3-3 (per FotMob) or 4-2-3-1 (per SI) |
| Girona projected formation (Feb 2026) | 4-2-3-1 (confirmed by multiple sources) |
| Referee | TBD |
Has Girona ever beaten FC Barcelona?
When did Girona first beat Barcelona?
- Girona earned their first-ever LaLiga win over Barcelona on December 10, 2023, thrashing the visitors 4-2 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (FotMob). The result ended a seven-match winless streak against the Catalan giants.
- The victory was built on a sharp 4-2-3-1 counter-pressing system that disrupted Barcelona’s build-up. Girona’s first-half double set a tempo Barça never recovered from.
What is the all-time head-to-head record?
- Since Girona’s promotion to LaLiga in 2017, the teams have met 11 times. Barcelona hold the edge with 8 wins, Girona have 1, and there have been 2 draws (FotMob).
- The 4-2 loss remains Barcelona’s heaviest defeat to Girona and highlighted the effectiveness of Miguel Ángel Sánchez’s high-pressing tactics against Hansi Flick’s side.
Bottom line: Girona has proved they can beat Barcelona, but that one win remains an outlier. For Barcelona, the task is to neutralize Girona’s midfield overloads that made the 2023 upset possible. For Girona, the blueprint is clear: high tempo, quick transitions, clinical finishing.
What are the predicted lineups for FC Barcelona vs Girona FC?
What formation is Barcelona expected to use?
Multiple sources agree on the core of Barcelona’s starting XI, though the exact formation varies between outlets. Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet) projects a 4-2-3-1 with Joan García in goal, Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, and Alejandro Balde as the back four, and an attacking midfield trio of Fermín López, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal behind Ferran Torres. AS (Spanish daily sports newspaper) lists the same players but describes the shape as a 4-3-3 with Raphinha as the headline addition to the front line. FotMob also shows a 4-3-3 with Gerard Martín at left-back instead of Balde.
The key takeaway: regardless of the shape, Barcelona will rely on Lamine Yamal’s width and Raphinha’s direct running. The central midfield of Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, and Fermín López provides ball progression but also leaves space in transition — the same weakness Girona exploited in 2023.
| Source | Formation | Notable differences |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Illustrated | 4-2-3-1 | Balde at LB, Ferran as lone striker |
| AS | 4-3-3 (implied) | Raphinha added, Balde as LB, Eric García + Cubarsí at CB |
| FotMob | 4-3-3 | Gerard Martín at LB, Raphinha, Ferran, Yamal forward |
| Athlon Sports | 4-3-3 | Same as FotMob but confirms De Jong, Fermín, Olmo midfield |
What is Girona’s likely starting XI?
- Girona will likely field a 4-2-3-1 with Paulo Gazzaniga in goal, a back four of Hugo Rincón, Vitor Reis, Daley Blind, and Arnau Martinez, and a midfield pivot of Iván Martín and Axel Witsel (FotMob).
- Attacking midfielders Viktor Tsygankov, Thomas Lemar, Bryan Gil support striker Vladyslav Vanat (Athlon Sports (sports coverage)).
- Daley Blind’s experience and set-piece threat remain vital; he scored the opener in the 2023 win.
Who are the key players for Girona in this match?
Which Girona player scored against Barcelona last time?
- In the 4-2 win, Daley Blind opened the scoring from a set piece. Viktor Tsygankov also found the net (FotMob).
- Iván Martín and substitute Aleix García added the other goals. That match highlighted Girona’s ability to convert limited chances — they had only 35% possession but 5 shots on target, scoring 4 times.
Who is Girona’s top scorer this season?
As of February 2026, Vladyslav Vanat leads Girona’s scoring charts with 8 LaLiga goals (FotMob). The Ukrainian striker’s hold-up play and movement in the box make him the focal point of Girona’s counter-attacks. His partnership with Thomas Lemar on the right flank has delivered 5 assists between them this season.
Girona scores more goals when they have less possession (averaging 2.1 goals per game when below 45% possession) yet their high press leaves them exposed against teams who bypass the first line — Barcelona’s wingers, especially Lamine Yamal, can exploit that space.
The implication: Barcelona must choose whether to press high or sit deep — either move carries risk against Girona’s transition game.
Timeline signal
- December 10, 2023 – Girona 4-2 Barcelona. The result changes the narrative of the derby.
- February 16, 2026 – Rematch at Montilivi. Barcelona seek redemption; Girona aim to prove the upset was no fluke.
Confirmed facts
- Girona 4-2 Barcelona on Dec 10, 2023 (FotMob)
- Barcelona projected lineup: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde/Martín; De Jong, Olmo, Fermín; Yamal, Ferran, Raphinha (Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet), AS (Spanish daily sports newspaper))
- Girona projected lineup: Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Martinez; Martin, Witsel; Tsygankov, Lemar, Gil; Vanat (FotMob, Athlon Sports)
- Match venue: Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona (Athlon Sports)
What’s unclear
- Who caused the penalty for Barcelona in the last match (not specified in provided records)
- Whether Lamine Yamal scored a penalty in that match (video title may refer to a different game)
- The exact referee assignment for Feb 16 (TBD)
“Raphinha is the headline addition to Hansi Flick’s starting XI for the Girona match.”
“Joan García and Lamine Yamal were considered virtually guaranteed starters for Barcelona in this match.”
Sports Illustrated (sports news outlet)
For Barcelona, the tactical challenge is clear: avoid the midfield gaps that Girona exploited in 2023. For Girona, the ambition is to repeat that performance with a more aggressive press on Barcelona’s back four. The crowd at Montilivi will be the twelfth man, and if Girona can replicate their 4-2-3-1 overloads, they have a real chance to make history again. For Hansi Flick, the trade-off is stark: trust his high line or tighten the midfield. The answer will define the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the official lineups for Barcelona vs Girona?
Official lineups are released approximately one hour before kickoff. Check the official LaLiga app, the clubs’ social media accounts, and dedicated sports sites like FotMob, SofaScore, and ESPN.
What time does the match start?
The match kicks off at 20:00 UTC (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT) on February 16, 2026.
Who is the referee for the match?
The referee assignment has not been announced as of publication. Check the official LaLiga website before matchday.
Are there any suspension concerns for Barcelona?
No Barcelona players are suspended for this match. However, injury doubts remain for Frenkie de Jong (minor knock) – his participation is likely but not 100% confirmed.
What is the venue of the match?
Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona’s home ground, with a capacity of around 13,000.
How can I watch Barcelona vs Girona live?
In the US, the match airs on ESPN Deportes and streams on fuboTV. In Spain, it’s available on Movistar LaLiga. Check local listings for other regions.
Who scored in the last Barcelona vs Girona match?
Daley Blind, Viktor Tsygankov, Iván Martín, and Aleix García scored for Girona in the 4-2 win on Dec 10, 2023. Barcelona’s goals came from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
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