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Attendance: 13,305
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La Liga
Sep 23, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
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0-3

FT(HT: 0-1)
Benitez (17' og.), Iraizoz (48' og.), Suarez (69')

Team News: Luis Suarez back for Catalan derby

Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal start up front with Lionel Messi as Barcelona travel to Girona in the first ever league meeting between the two sides.

Luis Suarez and Aleix Vidal start up front with Lionel Messi as Barcelona travel to Girona in the first ever league meeting between the two sides.

Gerard Deulofeu and Denis Suarez had started alongside Messi in the 6-1 victory over Eibar on Tuesday night as Ernesto Valverde's side continued their perfect start to the new campaign.

In all, Valverde makes six changes from the midweek fixture, with Denis Suarez dropping to the bench and Deulofeu being rested ahead of the trip to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

There is one change in the middle of the park, as Ivan Rakitic comes in for Sergio Busquets alongside Paulinho and Andres Iniesta.

Gerard Pique, Nelson Semedo and Lucas Digne all drop out of the backline as Samuel Umtiti comes in to partner Javier Mascherano at centre-back, Sergi Roberto is in at right-back and Jordi Alba plays on the left.

For the hosts, Pablo Machin makes seven changes to his starting XI for the historic fixture following the goalless draw at Leganes on Wednesday.

There is an all-new front three tonight as Douglas Luiz, Michael Olunga and Portu come in for Borja Garcia, Manchester City loanee Olarenwaju Kayode and Cristhian Stuani.

Pere Pons and Pablo Maffeo retain their places in the midfield, with Aleix Garcia and Aday Benitez coming in for Alex Granell and Johan Mojica.

Machin sticks with a back three for the encounter, with Juanpe joined by Jonas Ramalho and Bernardo Espinosa, in for Pedro Alcala and Marc Muniesa.

Girona: Iraizoz; Ramalho, Espinosa, Juanpe; Aday, Pons, Garcia, Maffeo; Luiz, Olunga, Portu
Subs: Bono, Mojica, Granell, Stuani, Marlos, Kayode, Borja Garcia

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Umtiti, Mascherano, Alba; Paulinho, Rakitic, Iniesta; Vidal, Messi, L Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Pique, Busquets, D Suarez, Alcacer, Digne, Gomes

Keep up with all of the action from Catalonia this evening with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona33227468392973
3GironaGirona33225669402971
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia33138123738-147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
13Sevilla33911134246-438
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


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