Official: Barcelona starting lineup to face Girona | La Liga | OneFootball

Barcelona return to action against Girona today, just 64 hours after their gruelling clash with Osasuna—a significantly shorter recovery period than the customary 72 hours.

This congested schedule has prompted Hansi Flick to make several rotations in his starting lineup, with some changes forced by fatigue and others dictated by injuries.

The most notable absentee is Raphinha, who surprisingly misses out on the squad despite expectations that he would feature.

Flick had hinted during Saturday’s press conference that he intended to rotate his squad, and he has stayed true to his word by fielding a refreshed lineup.

Changes in the XI

Injuries have already influenced Flick’s choices, particularly with Dani Olmo sidelined.

The Spanish international, crucial to Barcelona’s attacking play, has been replaced by Fermin Lopez, who will be eager to prove his worth.

Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin, and Robert Lewandowski have all been included in the starting XI, providing experience and quality against a resilient Girona side.

Flick’s decision to rest key players like Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Ferran Torres, and Frenkie de Jong underlines his strategic approach to managing a congested fixture list.

Raphinha’s absence, however, remains the biggest surprise. The Brazilian winger has been a valuable asset for Barcelona, especially in games that demand creativity and pace.

It is unclear whether Flick has chosen to rest him purely for tactical reasons or if there are underlying concerns that prompted his omission.

Despite these changes, Flick is confident that his revised lineup can secure a positive result.