Girona and Barcelona’s crunch conflict might be homecoming for ex-Chelsea star

After a season born from their wildest dreams, Girona sit on the cusp of an incredible achievement – a spot in the Champions League.

The Catalan club can secure their spot at Europe’s premier banquet on Saturday evening as they welcome local rivals Barcelona to the Estadi Montilivi. A win against the Spanish giants, or a loss for Athletic Club, will be enough to land a berth.

Last season, Oriol Romeu would have been praying for a Girona win, but after swapping the Blanquivermells for Barca last summer, he could be lining up against his former side.

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Romeu, 32, has been on something of a Catalan tour during his career: taking in the sights at Espanyol’s youth team, Girona and Barcelona. English fans might best remember him for spells at Southampton and Chelsea.

However, his heart has always resided at the Camp Nou. “For a ‘Culé’, playing for Barca is a dream come true,” he said.

“Besides doing something that you really like, which is playing football, if you do it with the team that you have identified with since you were little, it has a place in your heart and is an added bonus.”

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Romeu rose through the ranks of the famed La Masia academy before leaving for Chelsea in 2011. It’s been a long road back to Barca for Romeu, including a spell at Girona last season.

“I arrived here when I was 12-years-old and I lived on site at La Masia in my first year, it was the classic residence. I remember playing in Barca vs Madrid games when I was little, it was a special, beautiful game, it’s a game that since you were little, you look at with a different enthusiasm.

“I knew that I had done well at Girona, but coming to Barcelona was a huge challenge. I couldn’t have asked for more, being here and learning from my teammates and the coaching staff, it’s a very nice experience and one that I want to continue soaking up as I keep growing every day.

“Busquets has been the player who has best interpreted how to play in that position in midfield in recent years. The challenge is a big, beautiful one and that’s what we are here for, to try to rise to it and do it in the best way possible.”

Romeu is one of five players to have played for both clubs, with two players at Girona currently on loan from Barca: Eric García and Pablo Torre.

Watch Girona FC vs FC Barcelona this Saturday 4th May with coverage starting from 5:00pm BST on Premier Sports 1 and ITV4.