Three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona | La Liga MD24
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal for Barcelona was a horrific experience – one that is better off erased from the minds of players and fans.
Taking a 0-4 hammering in the game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Barcelona not only virtually gave away their Copa del Rey hopes but also took the momentum off their side.
They now continue their run on the road to face Girona later tonight – an opponent who is winless in three games.
That said, however, Barcelona too enter on a mental low and will be vulnerable in the opening phase of the game.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona.
Lessons to be learnt
If there is one game that Barcelona must reflect on deeply and learn from their mistakes, it is indeed their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid.
As Hansi Flick made clear in his post-match press confidently, his men were simply not up for the task midweek and put up a show that was far inferior to what Los Rojiblancos put up.
Barcelona need to get back to winning ways. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Fingers can be pointed at external factors, but the fact remains that the Catalans did not deserve any lead or win on the night.
Barcelona were outplayed by Atletico Madrid on the night, who pressed with intent, passion and a deep drive to win. Flick’s side, however, was slow and lethargic and always came out second-best in the half-chances.
Neither was the team’s press on the night coordinated and relentless, nor was the defence cohesive in any manner. Individual errors across the field only worsened the scenario for them and saw them concede four goals in 45 minutes.
Lessons, at this point, have to be learnt and it will be interesting to see how the team respond after facing such a humiliation in the cup.
If the team is motivated enough and takes the defeat the right way, they should come out with more desire to undo their errors and play their hearts out tomorrow with dominance.
The captain returns
Raphinha will return against Girona. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
The Barcelona manager made it very clear in the pre-game conference that he saw Raphinha as the best player in the world for last season, and thus made it clear that the team is very different with and without the Brazilian.
After all, the team’s intensity undeniably falls without his leadership, and it is no surprise that all but one of the team’s defeats this season came when he was not in the squad.
Raphinha has been out since the game against Albacete, and the manager decided not to risk and rush him back for the game against Atletico Madrid midweek. He is, however, cleared now and will be available again.
Needless to say, this comes as massive news for the manager’s plans and for Barcelona and Lamine Yamal.
His presence, after all, adds dynamism, pace, good finishing and leadership – all of which Barcelona are in dire need of.
It is unlikely that Raphinha starts, but he will come off the bench quite early, given that Marcus Rashford is not available, and it will be interesting to see how long the manager deems him fit to play for.
A possible change at full-back
If there is one department that particularly let the team down midweek, it was the full-back position.
While it is indeed true that the entire team played exceedingly poorly, it was Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde who were exposed and left red-faced time and time again.
Will Joao Cancelo start? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The duo had simply no answers to Atletico Madrid’s pacey wingers, counterattacks and dynamic dribbling.
At this point in the season, one is forced to wonder if Flick must start considering alternate setups.
Balde has been quite good for the team in recent weeks, and one of the reasons he was exposed the way he was midweek was that the team did not have a natural winger to add depth on the left flank.
With no attacking threat up wide, Balde was forced to overstep in attack and was left compromised at the back.
Kounde’s case, however, is completely different as he has looked like a shadow of his former self all season.
Flick does trust him, but one is forced to wonder if it is time to consider a change in the department, at least for the time being.
Joao Cancelo is an option to start in place of Kounde tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if Flick sees the Portuguese international as a viable option on that front at least.
The Frenchman, after all, could use some rest and space for a mental reset.
Balde, meanwhile, necessitates repositioning more than being replaced and could thus start at left-wing if Raphinha does not start.
In that way, he can carry out his attack play while having the likes of Gerard Martin taking care of defence – thus distributing duties for better results.
Mourinho sends chilling warning to Real Madrid before UCL clash: ‘They are wounded’
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has already started the psychological battle ahead of his side’s crucial UEFA Champions League play-off clash against Real Madrid.
The Portuguese coach knows exactly what is coming, especially after his team defeated Los Blancos in their last group stage meeting, a result that still lingers in the memory of both sides.
Real Madrid rarely forget such setbacks, particularly in Europe, and Mourinho is fully aware of the reaction his team could face.
The Spanish giants are set to visit the Estadio da Luz for the first leg, and the tie is already being built up as a high-stakes encounter between two experienced European sides.
Benfica, for their part, have begun the build-up with several messages on their official social media channels.
The posts are aimed at energising their supporters and creating a strong atmosphere in Lisbon, while also sending a subtle warning to the visitors.
The intention is to make the Estadio da Luz an intimidating place for Real Madrid on match night.
Mourinho fires up the match
Mourinho himself addressed the upcoming tie after Benfica’s recent league win over Santa Clara.
He stressed that the match against Real Madrid will be one of the toughest tests his team can face, while also making it clear that the tie is far from decided after just one game.
“[I know it will be] Very demanding, without a doubt. We’ve only played the first leg of the tie.
“Trubin [the Benfica keeper who scored against Real Madrid last time out] won’t be in the attack at the Luz stadium. I’m very used to these kinds of ties.
“I’ve been doing it all my life. People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result.
“We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” he said.
Source: SPORT
Romano: Summer transfer ‘battle’ now anticipated for attacking sensation who Man Utd want and ‘can afford’
Yan Diomande looks set to be one of the most sought-after stars of the summer transfer window amid a sensational breakout campaign with RB Leipzig.
The forward joined Leipzig in July 2025 in a £17.4 million deal from Leganes after his release clause was triggered.
To say he has taken the Bundesliga by storm is an understatement. Diomande, who’s just 19 years old, has returned a hugely impressive eight goals and five assists in 21 league appearances thus far, with his latest contribution coming in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg.
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Diomande is garnering a lengthy list of suitors
(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Already a nine-capped international for the Ivory Coast, where he plays alongside Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Diomande also notched a goal and added five caps to his name when called up for the African Cup of Nations.
Recent reports have verified that the Red Devils are well amongst the mix of suitors sizing up a move for the starlet and monitoring his form this campaign.
German football expert Christian Falk revealed on Friday that United are not only interested in Diomande, but they ‘can afford’ whatever his price tag will be; it’s expected Leipzig will demand around £87m if they’re made to part ways with him this year.
How could United facilitate a deal for Diomande?
(Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
The Reds’ potential pursuit would come in a window in which they’d be sanctioning the sales of two forwards in the form of Marcus Rashford to Barcelona (£26m) and Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli (£38m) when their respective loans come to an end.
Jadon Sancho will also be departing Old Trafford following a lacklustre five years when his contract expires in June, meaning attacking reinforcements will be necessary – especially if the club have Champions League football to account for next term.
On Sunday, Fabrizio Romano provided an update on Diomande’s situation, saying that Bayern Munich and Premier League sides will form a ‘battle’ for the teenager’s signature in the summer.
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