Heidenheim lead in Germany, Girona face Barcelona & Bradley Barcola fills Kylian Mbappe’s boots

Girona host Barcelona in a Catalan derby on Sunday and if one thing should be expected at Estadi Montilivi, it is plenty of goals.

Girona won both fixtures 4-2 last season, with the second of those victories in May securing them Champions League football for the first time, while also handing Real Madrid the title.

Michel’s side eventually finished four points behind third-placed Barcelona and it is the Catalan giants who are leading the way again this season, with four wins from four under new boss Hansi Flick, despite missing Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo through injury.

“Flick started three 17-year-olds in the first three games of the season,” explained Guillem Balague on the Euro Leagues podcast. “Not a problem. He wanted signings and only got Dani Olmo. Not a problem, no complaints.

“He has given stability to the club and on the pitch it is perfect. They have added a physicality, a high tempo that can be maintained for 90 minutes because of the work that has been put in in pre-season. This is a very exciting Barcelona.

“If you get Gavi, De Jong, Andreas Christensen back, you have more competition. The first XI is a very solid XI that has an idea in their heads and they all think like one. It is just if they hit a bad run. That will be interesting.”

Real Madrid sit four points back following two draws in their opening four games and boss Carlo Ancelotti will also be hoping some of his injured stars return soon.

Defender David Alaba and midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos remain out before Los Blancos’ visit to Real Sociedad on Saturday.

But Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham, who missed England’s wins against Republic of Ireland and Finland in the international break, could potentially return.

Ancelotti is still trying to get his Real Madrid to click into gear following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe in the summer. The Frenchman has scored twice in four La Liga games but the European champions are yet to really hit their straps.

“Ancelotti keeps saying inside the camp, you don’t have to teach Mbappe anything, just say a couple of suggestions and things will happen,” added Balague.

“His main concern is there no football being produced to take advantage of Mbappe.”