It’s time to shine a spotlight on Girona. What they’re accomplishing is truly remarkable, and not in a patronizing way, but in a “Could they be on the verge of making history?” manner.
With an impressive 19 points from their first seven games of the season, they’ve already exceeded their previous best start in La Liga, which was nine points after seven games back in 2018-19 (a season that unfortunately ended in relegation in the 18th position).
Last season, both Barcelona and Real Madrid had identical records after seven matches: six wins, one draw, and 19 points on the board. Barcelona eventually clinched the title, finishing ahead of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid by a 10-point margin. This achievement is among just 17 instances where a team has begun a La Liga campaign with 19 or more points (using the three points for a win system) since 1980-81.
As expected, these 17 occasions have been mostly dominated by Barcelona (nine times), Real Madrid (three times), Atlético Madrid (three times), and Valencia (twice). Sporting Gijón started their 1979-80 season with a perfect seven wins from seven but ended up third that season. Remarkably, only once in the last 24 instances where a team accumulated 19+ points from their opening seven La Liga games (based on three points for a win) did that team finish outside the top three at the end of the season – Valencia in 2008-09, finishing sixth, was the exception.
A top-three finish for Girona would grant them entry into the UEFA Champions League for the next season, making them the 14th Spanish club to participate in this prestigious competition. With this exceptional start, Girona fans can truly begin to dream big.
However, What’s the Secret Behind their Success?
For years, it seemed like Míchel was stuck in a limbo, hovering between being an excellent second-division manager and one not quite up to the task of leading a La Liga team. He did win second-division titles with Huesca and Rayo Vallecano, but in both cases, he was dismissed the following year when his teams struggled to adapt to the demands of the top tier.
If only he could weather that challenging first season in La Liga without succumbing to the pressures, he might have a chance to build something substantial. After earning promotion with Girona and facing early setbacks in terms of results, he received guidance from the decision-makers at the City Football Group, of which Girona is a part. They advised him to stay the course, backed by data analysis that showed his team was performing well, and the results would eventually reflect that. Instead of compromising his approach, Míchel was given the freedom to double down on his methods.
In their third-ever season in the top flight, Míchel not only survived a rocky start but also guided his Girona side toward a European push. They ultimately finished 10th, capturing the imagination of observers.
Míchel made the transition from being Rayo Vallecano’s all-time leading appearance-maker in 2012 to taking on a coaching role. This change occurred during a period when Paco Jémez was achieving Rayo Vallecano’s highest-ever top-flight finish, which was 8th place.
Later, this record was surpassed by Andoni Iraola’s team, which achieved a 7th-place finish. Jémez was notable for his commitment to positional play and a strong emphasis on possession-based football. His teams would visit formidable stadiums like the Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabéu and try to outpass renowned teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, they also experienced significant defeats, such as a memorable 10-2 loss at the Bernabéu. Despite facing such challenges, Jémez never gave up and remained resilient in the face of adversity.
Míchel witnessed firsthand how a lack of pragmatism could impact even the most positive and clear footballing ideas. While Girona may not dominate possession to the same extreme extent as Jémez’s teams did, they prioritize ball possession and pose a threat when they have it.
Girona’s performance in La Liga is truly exceptional. In terms of non-penalty expected goals, only Barcelona surpass them with 12.3 after seven games. What’s even more impressive is their ability to create the most clear-cut scoring opportunities in Spain. When it comes to the quality of shots from non-penalty situations this season, no other La Liga team can match Girona’s average of 0.15 expected goals per shot. To put this into perspective, when considering the top five European leagues in the 2023-24 season, only one team outperforms Girona in this regard – Strasbourg in Ligue 1 with an average of 0.18 expected goals per shot. Girona’s attacking prowess is certainly turning heads.
Intelligent Player Acquisition by Girona
Being a smaller club within a multi-club model offers certain advantages, one of which is access to the extensive scouting resources provided by City Football Group. Manchester City has a strong track record in player recruitment, and Girona benefits from this expertise. Recent years have seen notable examples of successful recruitment, with Viktor Tsygankov and Artem Dovbyk standing out. These two Ukrainians, once relatively unknown, now form one of Spain’s most formidable attacking duos.
While Cristhian Stuani is a beloved figure among Girona fans, at the age of 36, he’s gradually winding down his prolific career. Girona faced the departure of Taty Castellanos this summer, who was their top scorer with 13 goals last season. In search of a replacement, they turned to the 26-year-old from SC Dnipro-1.
Dovbyk is an assertive and physical striker with the ability to roam the channels and demonstrate technical finesse, particularly in his link-up play with the wide midfielders. He embodies the role of a false nine in a physically imposing frame and displays clinical finishing in front of goal. His average of 5.1 non-penalty shots per 90 this season is the highest in La Liga among players with at least 225 minutes of playing time.
Viktor Tsygankov indeed appears to have the potential to become a superstar. At 25 years old, he possesses all the attributes necessary to excel at the highest level in club football. While he may not excel in one specific aspect, his true value lies in being the cohesive force that binds the Girona attack together. His technical prowess, diligent work rate, intelligent movement, and ability to pick out a pass make him a key component of their offensive strategy.
Regarding loan deals, Girona has made strategic acquisitions from City Football Group and its network of clubs in recent years. Yan Couto, Yangel Herrera, and Taty Castellanos are notable examples. Sávio, who has been a standout performer this season, also joined on loan from Troyes during the summer. Even players like Aleix García and Douglas Luiz, who were once City loanees, came to Catalonia in pursuit of regular playing time. It’s a bit of a fairytale story, but it’s essential to recognize that Girona’s rise isn’t solely a result of lavish spending.
Míchel has demonstrated his ability to oversee successful player development projects as well.
Eric García was often a target of criticism during his time at Barcelona, and many questioned his inclusion in Spain’s national team, even though coach Luis Enrique strongly supported him as a “spectacular player.” He made the move from Manchester City to Camp Nou and then on to Girona, where it was widely acknowledged that he possessed the skills but needed to rebuild his confidence in an environment with less scrutiny.
Pablo Torre also joined Girona from Barcelona, and although he hasn’t seen significant playing time this season, this is more a reflection of the excellent form of players ahead of him rather than any shortcomings in his abilities. It’s expected that he will make valuable contributions at some point this season.
Girona currently tops the league with the fifth-youngest team on average in Spain, with an average age of 26 years and 244 days. Only Valencia, Almería, Real Sociedad, and Celta Vigo field starting XIs with younger average ages than Míchel’s squad.
Girona’s squad is enriched with players who bring experience from illustrious clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Manchester City. When asked about Girona’s rise to the top spot, Xavi commented that it’s a project with a well-defined style of play, and they have the right manager to execute it.
This season, they’ve been employing a 4-1-4-1 formation, but it transforms into a much more fluid system when they have possession of the ball. Despite not dominating possession with only 52.7% this season, their brilliance lies in what they do when they have control of the game. Every signing they make prioritizes technical ability.
Beyond the tactical specifics, Míchel has notably improved nearly every player under his coaching. Remarkably, he has achieved this despite significant squad turnover. While some players on the roster have been on loan at the club, signings like Sávio, Dovbyk, and García were brought in for specific reasons, and they have proven to be valuable additions.
Another summer signing that underscores Girona’s astute decision-making is Daley Blind.
Unwavering trust in Daley Blind
Daley Blind, now 33 years old, was regarded as lacking pace a decade ago. His brief stint with Bayern Munich last January saw him not playing a single minute, and his arrival at Girona raised eyebrows. People questioned what he could possibly bring to the table. However, Girona and Míchel always had a well-thought-out plan for the left-footed defender. Despite not being the most athletic player, Blind has consistently been recognized as one of the best ball-playing defenders in Europe. When Girona is in possession, he typically occupies the left position in a back three, alongside David López and García.
Blind quickly grasped Míchel’s requirements and adapted to his new environment at Estadio Montilivi. When López assumes the deepest defensive role, García and Blind step up to support Aleix García in midfield. With Sávio on the flanks and Iván Martín, Herrera, and Tsygankov further up the field, along with Dovbyk as an option over the top, Blind’s exceptional passing abilities force opposing teams into making critical decisions whenever he’s on the ball.
Blind leads the team in forward passes, with a total of 159. He effectively dictates when Girona transitions into attack. If you watch a game closely, you’ll notice his hand gestures and signals; he acts as the orchestrator of the team. While he doesn’t precisely play as an inverted center-back, he positions himself as far forward as needed to complement Aleix García’s role.
Viktor Tsygankov takes up the role of an inverted winger on the right side but has the freedom to roam and switch positions with Sávio as needed, which can create problems for opposing defenses. In their 4-1-4-1 formation, the real beauty lies in the fluid movement of the four midfielders: Sávio and Tsygankov on the wings, and Martín and Yangel Herrera, who take turns between playing as attacking midfielders and moving inside.
On the left, Daley Blind operates and can deliver precise passes when given time, exploiting the entire left side of the field. Additionally, Blind is capable of executing long balls to Dovbyk, who consistently positions himself well and makes runs behind the defense, adding another dimension to Girona’s offensive threat, especially when facing high-pressure opponents.
Rebuilding Midfield by Replacing Romeu
Míchel faced a significant challenge in central midfield when Barcelona sought Oriol Romeu as a replacement for Sergio Busquets during the summer.
Initially lacking a direct replacement, Aleix García stepped in and has performed admirably. While defensive duties aren’t his natural forte, Míchel has implemented strategies to mitigate García’s defensive vulnerabilities. This has resulted in a decrease in his offensive contributions across various metrics, but he has seen an increase in touches and an overall heightened influence on the team’s style of play.
Girona has shown significant improvement, even though Aleix García isn’t naturally suited to his current role. In the past, he was the primary creator of chances, but now he’s the player responsible for delivering the crucial pass right before a scoring opportunity is created.
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The departure of Romeu has had the most significant impact on the Colombian player. He has transformed into a dedicated central midfielder who can excel in an all-around capacity, performing a wide range of duties from a fixed position. In fact, 100% of his playing time this season has been in the role of a central midfielder. He had temporarily lost his preferred position due to Aleix García’s presence but has turned out to be one of the most pleasing unintended outcomes following Romeu’s move to Barcelona.
Full-fledged Offensive Strategy
We’ve covered various positions, but let’s not overlook two of the most crucial roles on the field: the full-backs. In Spain, there’s arguably no better right-back duo than Yan Couto and Arnau Martínez, and when it comes to potential, they might be among the best in Europe.
While Daley Blind doesn’t often play as an inverted full-back, Arnau Martínez certainly does. With the additions of Eric García and Blind, the 20-year-old doesn’t bear as much burden as in previous seasons. This season, he shares playing time with Couto, who offers a similar style but with a slightly more direct approach than his Spanish counterpart. Miguel Gutiérrez takes on the left-back role, playing a supportive yet equally significant role. Girona’s brilliance stems from the depth they have at every position and how these roles contribute to their ultimate objective: finding ways to exploit the opposition.
Unlike teams with individual stars of the caliber of Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, or Antoine Griezmann, Girona thrives on technical excellence throughout the squad. They have full-backs who can operate as interior midfielders and central defenders who are comfortable in midfield roles. Their wingers seamlessly transition between wide midfield and inside positions with purpose.
Impressively, Girona has seen 11 different players find the net this season, leading La Liga in this regard. They achieved the same feat last season with 19 different scorers, again topping the league. Players like Herrera and Dovbyk have contributed three goals each, while López, Sávio, and Stuani have added two goals apiece.
Despite not creating as many opportunities as some of their La Liga counterparts, Girona excels at producing clear-cut chances. Additionally, they boast the highest expected goals (xG) from set-pieces in La Liga, with some of the finest deliverers of the ball in Europe. Only Almería and Sevilla have generated more shots from set-pieces, and four of Girona’s goals have come from dead-ball situations, leading the league in this category as well.
Míchel remarked that he couldn’t have even dreamed of being at the top of La Liga. However, he also emphasized that their current position isn’t merely temporary; it aligns with Girona’s long-term plan. This moment is a part of their strategic vision.
They welcome Real Madrid to their home ground at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi today, facing their most significant challenge of the season. With the spotlight on them and the pressure mounting, the question remains: are they prepared for this pivotal moment?
