How Barcelona could line up against Girona

Barcelona head coach Xavi could make just the one change to his starting side for Saturday’s La Liga contest with Catalan rivals Girona.

The reigning La Liga champions will enter the contest off the back of a 4-2 victory over Valencia, with the team bouncing back from successive losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Barcelona did not pick up any fresh fitness problems against Valencia, but Gavi and Alejandro Balde remain long-term absentees due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong is unlikely to play again this season due to the ankle injury which he suffered in the recent league defeat to Real Madrid.

However, there is believed to be a chance that the Netherlands international will be able to represent his country at this summer’s European Championship.

Pedri dropped down to the bench against Valencia, but he is expected to come back into the side here in place of Fermin Lopez, who was on the scoresheet last time out.

Robert Lewandowski struck a hat-trick against Los Che and will continue as the centre-forward, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha again set to join him in the final third of the field.

Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen should continue in central midfield on Saturday night.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha

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