How a modest Spanish team is standing up to the giants

A small and modest team from Catalonia is in the leadership of La Ligafrom the Spain. With attractive and offensive football, the Girona boasts the best campaign in its history to date, defeating big Spanish names, such as Barcelona It is Real Madridguaranteeing themselves in the fight for the title of Spanish Championshipbeing, for now, with 31 points in 12 rounds, 10 wins, one draw and one defeat.

Some factors are decisive for the Spanish club’s good campaign. In charge since 2021, Michel He is not afraid to be a coach who abuses the offensive, making his team the one that has scored the most goals so far, with 29 goals scored. The ex-Atlético Mineiro, Savinhohas been the main weapon on the left side of this championship’s standout attack.

Founded in 1930 and sending its games on Montivili Stadium, with a capacity for around 14,600 fans, Girona is only in its fourth season in the country’s elite. The club is part of the City Group since 2017, purchased months after his first access to La Liga, having as president of the board of directors Pere Guardiolabrother of Pepcoach of Manchester City. With Michel, the Catalans returned to the elite in 2022, achieving 10th place last season and, with many new faces in the squad, they have been dreaming of an unprecedented Spanish title.

Seeking to work the ball from the defense field with patience until finding numerical superiority in the attack, Girona has a line of six players putting pressure on the opposing defense, which is generally made up of Yan Couto, Tsygankov, Aleix Garcia, Dovbyk, Blind and Savinho. Part of the club’s strategy is to concentrate the majority of players on the right side while the Brazilian positions himself open with the marker, with an open field if the dribble is successful. Blind is also a great ally of the player, attacking spaces to pull the marking or to serve as a passing alternative.

Faced with a challenge during the transfer window, the club acquitted itself well. With practically half the starting lineup leaving last season, including important names like Oriol Romeu It is Taty Castellanos, Girona was able to assemble a competitive squad spending just 22.25 million euros. The most expensive on the list was Dovbyk, who cost 7.75 million, but is the season’s top scorer, with six goals. Blind, came for free, and Eric García, on loan. Of course, being part of Grupo City was a facilitator for everything to happen. Savinho plays on loan from Troyersanother member of the group. Yangel Herrera, belonged to Manchester City and was bought after playing on loan. Yan Couto, who was even called up by the Brazilian Teamis in his second spell with the team, on loan from the English champions of Champions League.