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 at 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 forward was in the Girona residence, played for two years in the youth team and others in the reserve team, where he alternated with the first team. He went to Sabadell on loan 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 The sport. He continued: “Girona did not give me the same confidence as last year, and I did not feel fully appreciated by them either.” So far, he has played in three matches – barely 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.
