Girona is poised to emulate Leicester’s remarkable Premier League title victory in 2015-16, currently leading LaLiga ahead of football giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Despite entering LaLiga only in 2017, the Catalan club has outshone some of the world’s top teams.
This season, Girona made history as the fifth LaLiga team to win 10 of their first 12 games, showcasing an entertaining style with 29 goals scored and 14 conceded.
Under manager Michel’s daring approach, Girona adopts an ambitious, attacking style, emphasizing player empowerment over risk minimization. Michel’s tactics include a focus on set-pieces, resulting in numerous goals since their 2022 promotion, with midfielder Aleix Garcia delivering precise deliveries. Despite their modest stadium capacity of just over 14,000, Girona’s ascent is not solely a rags-to-riches tale.
Since 2017, Girona has been part-owned by the City Football Group, enjoying connections with clubs like Manchester City. While operating on a small budget, Girona benefits from strategic signings, including midfielder Yangel Herrera from City and right-back Yan Couto on loan. Girona’s ownership structure offers advantages, but their success also stems from astute decisions, such as signing Ukrainian duo Tsyhankov and Dovbyk at bargain fees and securing experienced Daley Blind on a free transfer.
After a thrilling 4-2 comeback against Osasuna, Michel, while cautiously discussing relegation, acknowledges Girona’s impressive 31 points and a substantial lead over fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. From a mere dream, European qualification is now a realistic goal for Girona, marking a remarkable journey from LaLiga newcomers to title contenders.