Girona: La Liga’s New Surprise Mystery Uncovered
Calendar icon Updated 03 May 12:43

Girona: La Liga’s New Surprise Mystery Uncovered

Kai Edvard Iliev Kai Edvard Iliev

Few teams dominate their leagues within the first seasons of their promotion in Europe’s top five leagues. But one dark horse is taking Spain by storm, going by the name of Girona. 

Since their ascent to La Liga just two seasons ago under the guidance of Spanish coach Michel, who remains a crucial figure, they have been steadily climbing the ranks. 

In the 22-23 season, Girona established themselves as a solid mid-table contender, finishing in a respectable tenth place.

But in the 23-24 season, they found themselves at the helm of the league for an extended period.

The burning question on everyone’s lips is: Who exactly is Girona, and how did they emerge as such a formidable force in Spanish football?

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Beyond the Underdog Story: CFG’s Influence and Girona’s Fiscal Prudence

Girona is not the typical underdog story of a small club miraculously finding a winning formula.

Unlike Leicester City’s legendary 2015-16 Premier League triumph, Girona’s rise cannot be chalked up to just serendipity or a perfect storm of circumstances.

The transformation began when the City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City and several other clubs globally, acquired a majority stake in Girona.

This global network spans from the United States to Spain and extends into South America.

However, the involvement of CFG, owning more than half of Girona’s shares, does not overshadow the remarkable achievements of coach Michel and the club’s intrinsic strengths.

Operating under Spain’s stringent Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, Girona’s success is notable for its fiscal prudence. CFG’s backing didn’t translate into lavish spending.

In fact, Girona’s expenditure has been modest, especially when compared to the average club’s outlay in top-flight football.

That said, Girona’s strategy heavily leaned on acquiring players on loan, a move that, while temporary, has been pivotal to their success.

Without these loan signings, the club’s current high-flying status in La Liga would likely be a distant dream, if not utterly unattainable.

Blending financial caution with strategic talent acquisition, this approach has been key to Girona’s remarkable journey in Spanish football.

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Strategic Acquisitions and Key Influencers in the Squad

Girona’s strategic approach to building their squad is exemplified by the acquisition of several young talents. Many of whom are earmarked for future moves to Manchester City, reflecting the influence of the City Football Group.

Players like Savio, Aleix García, Yangel Herrera, and Yan Couto, to name a few, all of whom are still very young.

Girona signed them without significant competition, and they suddenly became key influencers within the squad. 

Notably, Oriol Romeu left for Barcelona last summer, creating a void in the team which was adeptly filled by Yangel Herrera and Aleix García.

Their contributions have arguably enhanced the team’s performance. Yan Couto and Savio represent the successful development of raw talent, showcasing Girona’s ability to nurture and grow promising players. 

While Girona may not be known for heavy spending in the transfer market, their investment in scouting infrastructure and other essential areas, like injury prevention, provides them with a big advantage over other clubs. 

Michel’s Tactical Mastery and Girona’s Fluid Playstyle

As of late, the Spanish media has started to discredit Michel’s work, attributing Michel’s success at Girona solely to the financial backing of CFG, overlooking the true essence of his coaching prowess and football philosophy.

This could not be further from the truth.

The Spaniard has been through a lot in his past tenures and never have his teams bored anyone, with a particular emphasis on the role of full-backs in his tactical setups.

At Girona, the signings of Miguel Gutierrez, formerly of Real Madrid, and Arnau Martínez, previously with FC Barcelona, are examples of Girona’s excellent scouting and recruitment strategy.

Of course, Yan Couto, a Brazilian talent, would have never landed in Girona if it had not been for the CFG group’s resources. 

Reflecting on Michel’s previous stints at clubs like Huesca and Rayo Vallecano, which had no connections to CFG or other prominent football conglomerates, a consistent pattern emerges.

His teams have always effectively utilized full-backs, a tactical approach he has successfully replicated at Girona.

This strategy is not merely a byproduct of CFG’s financial clout; it is a testament to Michel’s coaching acumen and ability to integrate and maximize players’ potential in his system, particularly in wide defensive roles.

Michel’s coaching philosophy at Girona is anchored in a dynamic and fluid approach to player movement and positioning.

Players interchangeably move between lines, harmoniously advancing and retreating as a unit.

This creates a level of intensity and unpredictability on the pitch, making Girona a challenging team for opponents to anticipate and track.

Central to this philosophy is the recognition of the evolving nature of modern football, which increasingly emphasizes exploiting moments and momentum shifts rather than seeking to establish continuous dominance.

Under Michel’s guidance, Girona has adeptly capitalized on this shift and keeps attacking when most would look for stability.

This aligns with the adage ‘the best defence is a good offence,’ illustrating their preference for maintaining pressure and initiative rather than defaulting to a defensive posture.

Girona congests midfield zones easily in transitions when most teams are looking for focal points and stability. 

Instead, they look to overload wide or pinball to force movement and play between the lines whilst the opponent is still looking for reference points.

This makes it particularly difficult for opposing players in terms of finding their bearings on the field.

Michel’s strategy instills persistent confidence in his team, fueling remarkable comebacks from challenging scores and creating a winning mentality that other teams could well emulate. 

Challenges and Future Prospects in La Liga

Last season, Girona excelled in securing surprising yet highly effective transfers, such as the Ukrainian duo Dobvyk and Tsygankov.

Their mobility and Dobvyk’s physicality in the box proved particularly challenging for teams like Barcelona.

The only team that has posed a problem to Girona this season has been Valverde’s Athletic Club, due to their formidable pressing game that’s hard to navigate.

Athletic Club represents the polar opposite of Girona, leading to a deadlock between the two and resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Michel is a breath of fresh air with a healthy project bolstered by the club’s stability and the support from CFG.

He is a coach who embraces risk, opting for a variation of Pep Guardiola’s JdP (Juego de Posición) model.

As Michel himself said, ‘I understood the importance of emotions for players’, offering a more humanized take on attacking football.

Girona’s astute transfer strategy included acquiring Paulo Gazanigga, formerly of Fulham, who’s quietly emerging as one of Spain’s most reliable goalkeepers.

His technical prowess aligns seamlessly with Girona’s philosophy, where skill and technique are paramount. 

Girona’s ability to rejuvenate players’ careers is evident in their signings of Eric García (ex-Barcelona) and Daley Blind (ex-Bayern Munich). Despite their perceived shortcomings, they have transformed into key pillars of the team. 

While Girona’s current form is impressive, sustaining a title challenge may be challenging, given the season’s length and the squad’s limitations, particularly in terms of depth.

The likelihood of injuries and mental fatigue is a significant factor, explaining why Real Madrid currently is the main favourite to win the league with their broader resources.

But Girona surely can be expected to make it to the European places, be it Europa or Champions League. Much will depend on how the team will handle the post-Christmas period, which could significantly impact their final standing.

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