Girona manager Michel Sanchez choosing between two systems for Barcelona showdown

The big fixture in MD34 of the 2023-24 La Liga season takes place at Montilivi, with Girona hosting Barcelona in a crucial Catalan derby. The match could be a crucial factor in determining who will finish second this season, and thus book their place in the 2025 Spanish Super Club next January.

Girona won the reverse fixture in spectacular fashion at the Estadi Olimpic, and they will fancy their chances of repeating that result on Saturday, especially given their excellent home form. Michel Sanchez is deep into his preparations for the showdown clash, and according to MD, he is deliberating on which formation to play.

Girona have often switched between a 4-3-3 and 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 throughout the season, and Michel will opt for one of these tactics against Barcelona. The former would see Eric Garcia, who will face his parent club, deployed as a right-back, with the possibility of Yan Couto playing further forward. However, if 4-3-3 is favoured, one of Ivan Martin or Yangel Herrera could be dropped in favour of Viktor Tsygankov, who returned from injury against Las Palmas last time out.

The tactical battle could be the defining factor between the two teams at Montilivi. Girona will hope that they can secure the three points, which would see them leapfrog Barcelona with just four matches to be played.