Girona and Barcelona enter the field this Monday, February 16, 2026, at 8pm local time on Espanha (5pm on Brasília), at Estádio Montilivi, for the 24th round of the Campeonato Espanhol. The clash pits teams at different times in the table face to face, with the Catalans arriving reinforced by the return of Brazilian striker Raphinha after injury. Expectations revolve around the possible use of the player, who has received medical clearance and is traveling with the delegation.
Barcelona occupies second place with 58 points, just two behind the leader Real Madrid, and has the best attack in the competition, with 63 goals scored in 23 games. Já o Girona is in 13th place, with 26 points, and faces defensive difficulties that place it as one of the worst defenses in the tournament.
Raphinha, absent from the last three matches due to pain in the adductor muscle of his right thigh, returned to training and was listed by coach Hansi Flick. The coach confirmed the Brazilian’s availability, but indicated caution regarding the pace of the game, which opens up the possibility of both starting as a starter and entering during the match.
Current status of teams
Barcelona arrives at the duel under pressure after recent irregular results, but maintains a solid campaign in the chase for the title. The team has recorded 19 wins, one draw and three defeats so far, demonstrating offensive consistency led by players like Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
On the other hand, Girona is experiencing an unstable season, with six wins, eight draws and nine defeats. The team scored just 22 goals and conceded 37, numbers that reflect problems in defense and difficulty converting chances into points.
Both teams are looking to recover after previous rounds without a complete victory. The direct confrontation gains importance for the Catalans to maintain their proximity to the leadership and for the home team to avoid the risk of approaching the relegation zone.
Return of Raphinha to the cast
Raphinha felt the injury at the end of January, during the victory over Elche, and since then he has been absent from Barcelona in commitments against Albacete, Mallorca and Atlético from Madrid. The striker has accumulated 13 goals and five assists in 22 games in the 2025/26 season, numbers that place him as a fundamental piece in the Hansi Flick scheme.
The German coach highlighted the importance of the Brazilian in the team. Flick mentioned that the absence was felt, especially when creating plays on the left side of the attack.
The technical committee opted for a conservative approach to recovery, prioritizing gradual training before full release. Agora related, Raphinha competes for a place in the offensive sector alongside established names.
- Main numbers of Raphinha in the season:
- 22 matches played
- 13 goals scored
- 5 assists provided
- Average direct participation in goals every 1.2 games
Probable lineups and tactical options
Hansi Flick should maintain 4-2-3-1 as a base, with adjustments depending on the physical condition of those available. In goal, Joan García continues as a starter, while the defense has Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí and Alejandro Balde.
In the middle, Frenkie of Jong and Dani Olmo form the midfielder duo, with Fermín López gaining recent space. The attack has Lamine Yamal on the right and Lewandowski centralized.
Raphinha appears as the main option on the left, being able to come on from the start or substitute during the second half. Outros names like Ferran Torres and João Cancelo are also part of the bank.
Girona, led by Míchel, must line up Paulo Gazzaniga in goal, with a defensive line formed by Hugo Rincón, Vitor Reis and Daley Blind. Iván Martín and Fran Beltrán organize the midfield.
- Probable Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde; De Jong, Olmo; Yamal, Fermín López, Raphinha (or Torres); Lewandowski.
- Probable Girona: Gazzaniga; Rincón, Vitor Reis, Blind, Martínez; Beltrán, Martín; Tsygankov, López, Danjuma; Stuani.
History of recent clashes
Barcelona and Girona have faced each other several times in recent years, with the Catalans clearly dominating in direct duels. The previous season, Barcelona won both games, including a 4-1 victory in the match in Montilivi.
Girona, however, has already surprised its rival on past occasions, especially when acting as a sensation in the league. Nos last five meetings, Barcelona has four wins and one draw.
Raphinha participated in several of these games, contributing goals and assists against their Catalan opponents. Sua presence on the field tends to change the balance on the wings.
Importance of the Catalan attack
Barcelona boasts the best offensive performance in LaLiga, with 63 goals in 23 rounds, an average of more than 2.7 per match. Lewandowski leads the internal artillery, but the team distributes the submissions well.
Players like Yamal and the advanced midfielders complement the system. The return of Raphinha reinforces this strength, especially in quick transitions and set pieces.
Girona, in turn, needs to improve defensive compression to contain the visiting volume. The team has conceded goals in almost all recent rounds.
Transmission and monitoring
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN channels and streaming Disney+ Premium. Real-time Plataformas also offers minute-by-minute coverage.
Fans at Espanha watch at 8pm local time, while at Brasil the kick-off takes place at 5pm. Estádio Montilivi expects a full house for the regional classic.
Girona’s Defensive Challenges
Girona’s defense frequently concedes space, having conceded 37 goals so far. Apenas two teams scored more goals in the competition.
Míchel works to adjust positioning, but absences due to injury limit options. The team depends on counterattacks led by Viktor Tsygankov.
Against Barcelona, the strategy involves neutralizing the wingers and exploiting ball release errors. Resultados positives depend on efficiency in the few chances created.
Brazilian contribution to Barcelona
Raphinha is not the only Brazilian in the Catalan squad, but he stands out for his regularity. Sua adaptation to Flick’s scheme has yielded impressive numbers since the start of the season.
Other compatriots have passed through the club in recent years, leaving a legacy of titles. The current presence reinforces the identification with South American fans.
The attacker demonstrates commitment in interviews, focusing on a complete recovery to help the team in the decisive stretch.
Expectations for the second half
If the game is balanced at halftime, the entry of Raphinha could change the outlook. The Brazilian brings speed and precision in his final passes.
Flick has used similar substitutions in previous matches with success. The bench offers important tactical variations.
Girona, in turn, tends to grow at home in the final minutes, putting pressure on tired opponents.
General round numbers
The 24th round of LaLiga features other important games to define positions. Real Madrid has already played and maintains a minimal advantage in the leadership.
Mid-table teams fight for European places, while the bottom seeks to escape relegation. The duel in Montilivi closes the schedule.
Barcelona need the three points to not lose ground. Qualquer stumble opens space for competitors.
Final preparation of teams
In training this week, Barcelona prioritized dead balls and defensive transitions. Flick demanded total concentration against a motivated opponent.
Girona held tactical sessions focused on high marking. Míchel adjusted pieces to contain the visiting offensive power.
Both groups arrive without important suspensions, making choices easier for coaches.
Role of young talents
Pau Cubarsí and Lamine Yamal represent the new Catalan generation on the rise. Ambos are regular starters and attract the attention of national teams.
In Girona, players like Vitor Reis also earn valuable minutes. The confrontation highlights the contrast between consolidated projects and those undergoing reconstruction.
The match serves as a showcase for athletes looking for affirmation.
Visiting attack analysis
Barcelona’s offensive system combines ball possession with verticality. Passes quickly on the sides exploit spaces left by rivals.
Lewandowski acts as a reference, but collective movement creates numerical superiority. Raphinha, when on the field, expands options to the left.
Statistics show high efficiency in finishing within the area.
Master strategy
Girona adopts a reactive stance in big games, waiting for mistakes to counterattack. Tsygankov and Danjuma are weapons in transitions.
The local fans tend to push in difficult moments. The home factor has already yielded unexpected points in past seasons.
Míchel bets on the organization to frustrate the favorite.
This Monday’s clash promises initial balance, with the outcome depending on details such as the use of Raphinha and efficiency in the chances created. Barcelona starts as the favourite, but Girona is capable of making things difficult.
