Three things to look out for as Barcelona take on Girona in La Liga

Barcelona are finally back in action this weekend as domestic football resumes after the latest international break.

Hansi Flick’s side head to Girona and will be aiming to maintain their perfect start to the season but face a tricky test against Michel’s men.

Here’s a few thinks to look out for at Montilivi:

Barca out for revenge on Girona

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There’s no doubt at all that Barcelona will be out for revenge against their local rivals after losing home and away to Michel’s team last season.

Girona became just the fourth team in La Liga history to do the double over Barca and they did it with a bit of a swagger too, winning 4-2 in both games.

Much has changed since then with Hansi Flick replacing Xavi at the helm and set for his first battle with Michel in La Liga.

Barca look a different animal under Flick. They are winning the ball back higher up the pitch, have yet to concede a second-half goal, get the ball forward quicker and are creating more chances.

Barcelona’s perfect start has got fans excited about what can be achieved this season, and a victory in Girona will continue the feelgood mood around the club following Flick’s arrival.

Lewandowski to bring up Barcelona century

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Robert Lewandowski has also started the season in good form with four goals already in four La Liga games for Barcelona.

The Poland international will bring up a century of appearances for Barcelona on Sunday afternoon and will hope to mark the occasion in style.

Barcelona’s striker has 63 goals in 99 appearances for the club, only Luis Suarez (on 88) has more in his first 100 appearances for Barca since 2012-13.

Lewandowski did suffer a knock on international duty but managed to shrug it off and is expected to be in the starting XI once again.

The Poland international scored in both games against Girona last season but ended up on the losing side - he’ll be hoping for goals and points on Sunday.

Watch out for Abel Ruiz

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Many players have swapped between Barcelona and Girona in recent seasons including Oriol Romeu, Eric Garcia, and Pau Victor. Even Michel was targeted by Barca at one point as a potential replacement for Xavi.

Abel Ruiz is another player who can be added to the list and who will be eager to prove a point on Sunday. He’s spoken about Barca ahead of the match and why he decided to leave.

“I was happy at Barça and I’m very grateful for everything I’ve experienced. It was difficult for me to leave the club,” he told Sport.

“I was at a point between the first team and the reserve team and I didn’t have too many chances. I wanted to play in the First Division. Braga came to offer me a good project to the elite and I understood that I had to take the step of leaving to grow.”

The forward is back in La Liga from Braga and has made a bright start to the season.

Ruiz has scored in his last two games and would surely love nothing more than to make it three in a row against his former club.