Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe will hope to construct on from his brace towards Real Betis earlier than the worldwide break. Los Blancos journey to San Sebastian on Saturday to face Real Sociedad, having drawn two of their first 4 matches, but to fireside on all cylinders. Hansi Flick’s Barcelona face Girona on Sunday in a Catalan derby aiming to safe a fifth win from 5 La Liga matches firstly of the season. Last season the Catalan giants had been upset twice by their upstart minnow neighbours, who thumped Xavi Hernandez’s facet 4-2 house and away within the high flight.
Girona, of their fourth ever season in La Liga, finally completed third, behind second-place Barca, however for a lot of the season the Blaugrana may solely watch because the tiny membership battled Real Madrid for high spot.
Although Girona’s title bid ultimately collapsed, their second overcome Barca secured them Champions League soccer and delivered Madrid’s record-extending thirty sixth league crown.
Quite a bit has modified since then, with Flick’s arrival instead of Xavi seeming to revitalise Barcelona’s squad.
Led by teenage star Lamine Yamal, new arrival Dani Olmo and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski they’ve received their opening 4 matches and are the one workforce in La Liga with a 100% report.
Girona, however, have misplaced star names together with Artem Dovbyk and Savinho and coach Michel Sanchez continues to be becoming collectively his alternative puzzle items.
After a 3-0 thumping by Atletico, Girona responded with 4-0 and 2-0 wins over Osasuna and Sevilla respectively, indicating they’re heading in the right direction as soon as extra.
“It was a tough market as a result of we had a wonderful season, we knew it could possibly be an extended window,” stated Girona sporting director Quique Carcel earlier this week.
“We did what we had deliberate, which was to consider the gamers who would possibly depart — we had deliberate for a few of them.
“We seemed for profiles which, with our type of play, the coach wanted… we’re pleased with the squad we now have.”
Girona introduced in Arnaut Danjuma, Bryan Gil, Abel Ruiz and Donny van der Beek, amongst different arrivals, in addition to Oriol Romeu from Barcelona on mortgage.
The midfielder can’t face Barca due to a clause within the deal, whereas Yangel Herrera can also be a doubt.
Flick has an extended harm checklist to handle however is anticipating to have playmaker Olmo out there regardless of struggling a blow towards Serbia whereas taking part in for Euro 2024 winners Spain.
Morale is excessive on the membership due to their high-quality begin, together with a 7-0 demolition of Valladolid earlier than the worldwide break, and Gavi’s partial return to coaching on Thursday after an extended harm lay-off offered additional excellent news.
“We work a lot more durable than earlier than,” Barca midfielder Pedri informed Mundo Deportivo.
“The workforce would not dip after the seventieth or eightieth minute, it maintains the identical health ranges.”
Many anticipated champions Real Madrid to defend their crown with ease after signing Kylian Mbappe this summer time but when Barcelona can avenge final 12 months’s double defeat at Montilivi, it could be a press release victory.
Player to observe: Julian Alvarez
Atletico’s new signing from Manchester City Julian Alvarez has but to search out the web however with backside of the desk Valencia travelling to the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, the Argentine will probably be aiming to open his Rojiblancos account. The guests have misplaced three of their opening 4 La Liga matches.
Key stats
1 – Barcelona are the one workforce left in La Liga with a 100% report up to now
3 – Atletico Madrid host Valencia having saved three consecutive clear sheets
25 – Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has taken probably the most photographs within the league
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
Topics talked about on this article
