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Barcelona will look to continue with their perfect start to the season when they host a stubborn Girona side at the Camp Nou on Sunday. The Catalans currently top LaLiga table, having won all of their league games so far this season.
With rivals Real Madrid just two points adrift, there is certainly no room for any slip-ups on the side of the Blaugrana. But Barcelona fans around the world can feel confident going into this game, especially looking at the imperious form the club is currently in.
On Tuesday, Ernesto Valverde’s side made a huge statement in Europe after thrashing PSV Eindhoven by four goals to nil at the Camp Nou. The result in the Champions League was emphatic, but the performance was much more impressive.
On Sunday, the Blaugrana will be switching attention back to La Liga action, as Girona lies in wait.
Here are three key points to note ahead of the game:
#3 Messi, Dembele to continue their fine form
Whenever Lionel Messi is in such form, Barcelona breath a huge sigh of relief, but for opposition teams, the situation is totally different. The Argentine magician netted a hat-trick in midweek against PSV Eindhoven and when he is in this mood, he is very difficult to stop.
Fortunately for Barcelona, though, Messi is not the only player in good form. Expensive purchase Ousmane Dembele is enjoying his best form since joining the Catalans last year. The France international was also on the scoresheet in midweek and his partnership with Messi has been delightful.
Dembele and Messi have built a good understanding of each other’s game and it looks as though one knows where the other will be at any point in time. Against Girona, the pair will be expected to once again show their quality and perhaps grab a few goals.
#2 Expect Girona to be extra-defensive
Sunday’s game between Barcelona and Girona is not expected to be very open. Girona know very well what Barca is capable of and, having seen PSV swept aside in midweek, they also must have been preparing a plan by now.
But whatever that plan may be, it is obvious that the club cannot afford to open up against the Catalans. Very few teams are able to stand up to Barca when it comes to open play, therefore, Girona can be expected to shut up shop and deploy a defensive approach.
This is a side that has suffered heavy defeats to Barcelona in the past and they will definitely not want a repeat of this on Sunday.
But since they cannot match their opponents, the best thing to do would be to simply defend and hope that a cricket scoreline is avoided.
#1 Expect lots of goals
Girona have always been at the receiving end of quite a few Barcelona thumpings. The club currently sits in an impressive 7th position, having accrued seven points from a possible 12. Girona have so far won two La Liga games, drawing one and losing the other.
However, the club has never been one to trouble Barcelona. In the last meeting between the two sides at the Camp Nou, Barcelona had it far too easy, romping to a massive 6-1 victory. Sunday’s game is expected to follow the same script.
Ernesto Valverde‘s charges have scored nine goals in their last two meetings with Girona. Girona may try to be extra-defensive but Barca’s quality is simply too much for them to handle. Add that to the form of Messi and it is easy to see why there will be lots of goals in Sunday’s fixture.
