Fansided

5 bold La Liga predictions: Real Madrid drop points against Espanyol

By Benjamin Barkworth

BILBAO, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic de Bilbao v Real Madrid at the Estadio San Mames on September 15, 2018 in Bilbao Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic de Bilbao v Real Madrid at the Estadio San Mames on September 15, 2018 in Bilbao Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona celebrates 2-0 with Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v PSV at the Camp Nou on September 18, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Aaron van Zandvoort/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 18: Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona celebrates 2-0 with Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v PSV at the Camp Nou on September 18, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Aaron van Zandvoort/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

4. Barcelona thrash Girona with a weakened XI

The Catalans come into this game in top form, having won every one of their games so far this season, the latest a 4-0 win against PSV in the Champions League. They don’t appear to be feeling the effects of Andres Iniesta’s departure; Philippe Coutinho continues to impress, while Ousmane Dembele seems to be finding his form after a difficult first season. Then, of course, there’s Lionel Messi.

Barca are in the middle of a run that will see them play seven games in 23 days, so Ernesto Valverde needs to rotate to keep his main players fresh. This match and the next one, against Leganes, present the best opportunity to do this. Arthur, Clement Lenglet, Juan Miranda, Nelson Semedo, Arturo Vidal, Denis Suarez and Munir are some of the players who could be brought into the starting XI. Messi and Ousmane Dembele are likely to start in order to ensure there are some potent attacking weapons to break down the opposition.

Girona have started brightly with seven points from four games; Real Madrid are the only side to beat them. It certainly hasn’t been an easy run of games either. They’ve faced Villarreal, high-flying Celta Vigo and a stingy Real Valladolid side. Eusebio Sacristan gave Barca plenty of problems when he managed Real Sociedad as they only won once at the Anoeta during his time in charge.

The 54-year-old has changed his approach, though, because Girona are tactically flexible and he’s happy for his side to concede possession against stronger sides. He’ll probably elect to do that at Camp Nou because an expansive approach risks annihilation due to the space that would afford to Messi on such a large pitch.

Nonetheless, against Celta Vigo and Los Blancos they showed that they leak goals against attacking sides. Expect Barcelona to control the game and force Girona to play deep in their own half with limited opportunities. They will almost inevitably break down their Catalonian rivals after sustained periods of pressure, so it could very easily become a heavy beating.

Home/La Liga