FC Barcelona are going to find out their rivals for the revamped UEFA Champions League today. The final four pots have already taken shape, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid placed in Pot 1.
In addition to these two teams, two other teams from Spain are among the 36 clubs participating in this newly formatted Champions League, i.e., Atletico Madrid and Girona.
Being the first edition of the competition with this new format makes it a special edition for all the competing teams, but this year it will be particularly special for Girona, as this is the first time they are playing in the UEFA Champions League.
After putting up a formidable challenge for the La Liga title last season, Girona will try to maintain their standards this year. However, they have lost important players over the summer, and thus, it will be a significant challenge for Michel to retain his team’s form.
One such important player that Girona lost after the end of the last season was the center-back Eric Garcia. However, there is still a possibility of the Spaniard’s return to Girona in the remaining days of the summer market.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the President of Girona, Pere Guardiola, acknowledged his side’s interest in the Barcelona center-back and made it clear that the Blaugranes will determine where he plays this season:
“Eric is a name we considered last year. We have a connection beyond football, but he’s a Barça player, and ultimately, it depends on Barcelona, not on us or Eric… We’ll see how it goes; there are two days left, and we’ll see.”
Last year, it was on the deadline day that Girona completed Garcia’s signing on loan. Thus, there is still a possibility that Michel’s team can sign the defender once again before the transfer window closes. However, this will not entirely be to Barcelona’s liking as they are already quite weak in the center-back department.
