More than coincidences unite Barcelona and Girona, who face each other this Sunday at Montilivi (16.15, Movistar). More than encounters and disagreements – the Catalans lost twice to Míchel’s team last season – more than players who have come and gone, who have wanted to stay or leave. Barcelona, with Hansi Flick at the helm, have a full house of victories, and although the squad has changed little – the big news is the signing of Dani Olmo, and the big loss is Gündogan – the results so far are encouraging. On the other hand, at Girona, fifth in the League and making their debut in the Champions League, the squad is different, very different from last season. “I don’t expect a more difficult game than last year, but different, because the coach and what they do are the same. […] “We cannot compare my team with last year’s. It is neither better nor worse, it is different,” said Míchel in a press conference. The Madrid coach remains the architect of the team, which has been reconfigured with 13 absences and 11 arrivals. Some of the departures, such as that of Savinho, were very sensitive, while others, such as the return of Oriol Romeu or the failed attempt to keep Eric García, demonstrate the bridges between both clubs.
The former longed for his return to Girona. He left in the summer of 2023 with the difficult mission of filling the void left by Sergio Busquets. He promised to be a key player in Xavi’s eleven, but his figure gradually disappeared over time until he dissipated and occupied the bench in most matches. Then, Barcelona accepted his departure on loan – it was good for them to free up a salary – and Míchel always left the door open for him. “He can help us in the challenges that lie ahead. His desire to return was key and it was not easy,” said Quique Cárcel, sporting director of the Girona club, this past week. He returned to be happy under the orders of Míchel, with whom he has already played all four league games, three as a starter, and has accumulated 241 minutes. This Sunday he will not be able to add any due to the fear clause.
Eric García did not have the same fate. His wish was the same. The coach’s wish was the same, too, as he was a pillar last season with 32 completed matches, five goals and 2,670 minutes accumulated during his loan. Cárcel’s wish was also the same. And he said so: “I asked for it, I tried, but it wasn’t to be.” Montilivi waited until the end, but injuries to Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen frustrated their hopes. The defender stayed in Barcelona and Flick lined him up in three of the first four league matches.
Eric García won Olympic gold this summer alongside Pau Cubarsí. The young centre-back is precisely the opposite of his teammates. He was born and raised in the Girona youth system, but preferred Barcelona – he landed in La Masia in 2018 – and is now one of the young prospects alongside Lamine Yamal. He surprised everyone last season, and Flick has trusted him by giving him a starting role in every game so far.
Pau Víctor also arrived at Barcelona this summer. The striker was in Girona’s residence, played for two years in the youth team and for others in the reserve team, where he alternated with the first team. He went on loan to Sabadell and the following year he joined Barça Atlétic. “I had an offer from the first team and I wanted to go to Barça no matter what. I was very clear about it,” Cárcel confessed. “When Barça calls you… it’s difficult to say no,” the striker said in an interview with L’Esportiu. He continued: “Girona didn’t give me the confidence they had the year before, and I didn’t feel fully appreciated by them either.” So far, he has played in three games – just a few minutes – with the Barça first team this season.
Pablo Torre was also on loan last year at Girona, although he was not a regular starter. Abel Ruiz, with a past in Barcelona’s youth ranks and after a good performance in Portugal, signed for the Girona team this summer, with whom he has played in all four league games and scored two goals. 134 days after the last match at Montilivi, Barcelona returns to the stadium that tormented them last year in what will be a meeting of old acquaintances.
What are the historical connections between Barcelona and Girona in La Liga?
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The Intricate Web of Connections Between Barcelona and Girona
This Sunday, Barcelona and Girona will face off at Montilivi Stadium in a highly anticipated La Liga match, with much more at stake than just three points. The two Catalan teams share a complex web of connections, with a history of encounters, disagreements, and player transfers that make their rivalry all the more intriguing.
A New Era for Barcelona Under Hansi Flick
Barcelona, led by new coach Hansi Flick, has started the season with a perfect record, winning all four of their league matches. Despite minimal changes to the squad, with the notable signing of Dani Olmo and the departure of Gündogan, the Blaugrana are looking formidable. Flick’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players have raised hopes of a successful season.
Girona’s Revamped Squad
On the other hand, Girona has undergone a significant transformation, with 13 departures and 11 new arrivals, including some high-profile moves. Coach Míchel remains the architect of the team, but with a very different squad than last season. The team’s fifth-place standing in the league and Champions League debut promise an exciting campaign ahead.
The Oriol Romeu Saga
One player who has been at the center of the Barcelona-Girona connection is Oriol Romeu. The midfielder left Barcelona in the summer of 2023 to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets, but struggled to establish himself in Xavi’s starting eleven. He eventually returned to Girona on loan, where he has rediscovered his form, playing in all four league matches and accumulating 241 minutes. However, due to the fear clause, he will not be able to feature in Sunday’s match.
The Eric García Dilemma
Another player who has been linked to both clubs is Eric García. The defender spent last season on loan at Girona, impressing with 32 completed matches, five goals, and 2,670 minutes played. Despite Girona’s efforts to keep him, injuries to Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen scuppered their plans, and García returned to Barcelona. He has since become a regular starter under Flick, featuring in three of the first four league matches.
Pau Cubarsí and Pau Víctor: The Girona Youth Products
Two players who have made the opposite journey are Pau Cubarsí and Pau Víctor. Cubarsí, a young center-back, was born and raised in the Girona youth system but opted to join Barcelona’s La Masia in 2018. He has since become one of the promising young prospects alongside Lamine Yamal. Víctor, on the other hand, played for Girona’s youth team and reserve team before joining Sabadell on loan and eventually signing for Barça Atlètic. He recently confessed that when Barcelona calls, it’s difficult to say no.
The Match of the Weekend
As Barcelona and Girona prepare to face off on Sunday, the connections between the two teams will add an extra layer of intrigue to the match. With Romeu and García set to feature prominently, and Cubarsí and Víctor eager to make an impact, the encounter promises to be a thrilling affair. Will Flick’s Barcelona continue their winning streak, or will Míchel’s Girona spring a surprise? One thing is certain – it will be a match to remember.
SEO Keywords: Barcelona, Girona, La Liga, Hansi Flick, Míchel, Oriol Romeu, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Pau Víctor, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Dani Olmo, Gündogan, Champions League, Montilivi Stadium.
– What are the key connections between Barcelona and Girona beyond their matches?
Title: Barcelona and Girona: Uniting Forces Beyond Coincidences
Meta Description: More than just encounters, Barcelona and Girona share a deep connection that goes beyond mere coincidences. Discover the intricate web of players, coaches, and decisions that unite these two Catalan clubs.
Header Tags:
H1: Uniting Forces Beyond Coincidences
H2: A Changed Squad for Girona
H2: The Oriol Romeu Saga: A Tale of Two Cities
H2: Eric García: The One That Got Away
H2: Pau Cubarsí: The Young Prospect with a Girona Heart
H2: Pau Víctor: A Striker’s Journey from Girona to Barcelona
Content:
As Barcelona and Girona prepare to face off this Sunday at Montilivi, it’s hard to ignore the numerous coincidences that bind these two Catalan clubs together. Beyond their encounters on the pitch, the squads have undergone significant changes, with players and coaches moving between the two teams. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricate web of connections that unite Barcelona and Girona.
A Changed Squad for Girona
Under the guidance of Míchel, Girona has undergone a significant transformation since last season. With 13 departures and 11 arrivals, the squad is almost unrecognizable. Despite the changes, Míchel remains the architect of the team, and his team is currently fifth in the League and making its debut in the Champions League.
The Oriol Romeu Saga: A Tale of Two Cities
One of the most notable transfers between the two clubs is Oriol Romeu. The former Barcelona midfielder left the club in the summer of 2023 to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets. However, he struggled to find his place in Xavi’s eleven and eventually disappeared from the starting lineup. Míchel, who had always left the door open for Romeu, welcomed him back to Girona with open arms. “He can help us in the challenges that lie ahead. His desire to return was key, and it was not easy,” said Quique Cárcel, sporting director of Girona.
Eric García: The One That Got Away
Eric García, on the other hand, didn’t get his wish to return to Girona. Despite being a pillar in Míchel’s team last season, injuries to Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen frustrated their hopes. Garcia remained at Barcelona, where Hansi Flick has given him a starting role in three of the first four league matches.
Pau Cubarsí: The Young Prospect with a Girona Heart
Pau Cubarsí, a young center-back, is one of the few players who have made the transition from Girona to Barcelona. Born and raised in the Girona youth system, Cubarsí surprised everyone last season and has now become one of the young prospects alongside Lamine Yamal. Hansi Flick has trusted him by giving him a starting role in every game so far.
Pau Víctor: A Striker’s Journey from Girona to Barcelona
Pau Víctor, a striker, is another player who made the move from Girona to Barcelona this summer. Having played for Girona’s youth team and reserve team, Víctor joined Barça Atlétic on loan. “I had an offer from the first team, and I wanted to go to Barça no matter what. I was very clear about it,” Cárcel confessed. “When Barça calls you… it’s difficult to say no,” Víctor said in an interview with L’Esportiu.
As Barcelona and Girona prepare to face off this Sunday, it’s clear that their connection goes beyond mere coincidences. The intricate web of players, coaches, and decisions that unite these two Catalan clubs is a testament to the complex and ever-changing nature of football.
Keyword List: Barcelona, Girona, Hansi Flick, Míchel, Oriol Romeu, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Pau Víctor, La Liga, Champions League.
