The Remarkable Rise of Girona: A David vs Goliath Story in La Liga

The Unlikely Title Contenders

Fans of Spanish football will be accustomed to seeing Real Madrid and a certain Catalan club battle it out at the top of La Liga \\u2013 only this season that team from northeastern Spain isn\u2019t Barcelona. It is Girona, playing in only its fourth top-flight season in La Liga, that has improbably become Real\u2019s closest title challenger midway through January, repeatedly upsetting the odds to surge up the standings and sit top of the table, one point ahead of Los Blancos \\u2013 though Madrid has a game in hand.

Founded in 1930, Girona plays its football at the modest 14,000-capacity Estadi Montilivi on the outskirts of a city that has a population of just 100,000. For the majority of its history, Girona has competed in the third tier of Spanish football and below, only returning to the second division in 2008 after a 49-year absence. Girona was previously promoted to La Liga in 2017, spending only two seasons in Spain\u2019s top flight before being relegated. This time, however, the team looks like it is here to stay.

Girona's modest stadium has seen some of the best football this season.

The Blanquivermells\u2019 early success this season has naturally prompted comparisons to Leicester City\u2019s remarkable Premier League-winning season and Spanish football expert Semra Hunter believes those comparisons are merited. With Real and Girona seven and eight points respectively up on third-placed Bar\u00e7a at the head of the chasing pack, this season is already looking likely to be a two-horse race. Girona\u2019s modest stadium has seen some of the best football this season, fueling the excitement surrounding the team\u2019s unexpected rise.

The Influence of M\u00edchel

There are a multitude of factors that have contributed to Girona\u2019s rise, but perhaps principle among them is the manager leading the team: Miguel \u00c1ngel S\u00e1nchez Mu\u00f1oz, better known as M\u00edchel. A Madrid boy born and raised, M\u00edchel is an icon at boyhood club Rayo Vallecano after spending the majority of his playing career there across two spells. After managing Rayo and then Huesca, M\u00edchel took the reins at Girona in 2021 when the club was back in Spain\u2019s competitive second division. He got the club promoted at the first time of asking and then consolidated with an impressive 10th-place finish last season.

Míchel has turned Girona into a force this season.

Girona CEO Ignasi Mas-Bag\u00e0 says M\u00edchel deserves \u2018a lot of credit\u2019 for the team\u2019s recent success. \u2018It\u2019s his third season with us now and I think the players really understand what he wants, the style of play,\u2019 Mas-Bag\u00e0 told CNN Sport\u2019s Patrick Snell. \u2018He wants to keep the ball, a lot of possession and to score goals \u2013 and we\u2019re the team that\u2019s scored the most goals in the league. Positively, we can say that the job during the week [in training] is translated on the pitch with results.\u2019

M\u00edchel has been instrumental in transforming Girona into a force to be reckoned with this season. His brand of football has captivated fans and experts alike, with every match for Girona feeling like the match of the season. Under M\u00edchel's leadership, Girona has achieved remarkable victories, including a thrilling 4-3 win over Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, showcasing the team's exciting and entertaining style of play.

A Madrid boy, Míchel has taken to the Catalan lifestyle.

The Impact of Recruitment

In 2017, the City Football Group (CFG), which owns Manchester City, purchased a majority stake in Girona, which is now one of 13 clubs under the CFG umbrella. Despite being owned by one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, Girona has continued to be 'very resourceful' and 'very smart' when scouting and signing players on a 'small' budget. Of the current squad, only impressive young defender Yan Couto is on loan from parent club City, though Yangel Herrera, Aleix Garc\u00eda, and Eric Garc\u00eda have also previously been on the books.

Míchel celebrates with his players after a thrilling win over Atletico.

While Girona\u2019s success stems from the team being more than the sum of its parts, Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk, who arrived from SC Dnipro-1 in the summer, has emerged as a potent goal threat with 11 goals in 18 league appearances. Additionally, Girona has benefited from the guidance of City manager Pep Guardiola, with M\u00edchel often consulting Guardiola for insights and inspiration. Girona has leveraged its resources effectively, demonstrating that determination and strategic recruitment can make a significant impact on the team\u2019s performance.

Artem Dovbyk has impressed since arriving in the summer.