For the first time in a long time, the Spanish top flight isn’t a three-way race between Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid.
To the surprise of many, including this SBOTOP writer, a Segunda Division outfit in the 2021-22 season is mightily looking down on the top clubs in La Liga and could very well be a title contender this campaign.
Michel and his Girona are making a bold statement and have been in the running basically since Matchday 2.
Gironistes have been bouncing around the Segunda Division and La Liga since 2015, struggling to make considerable impact to make themselves a staple in the top flight.
Their most recent promotion to the big leagues came in the 2022-23 season after winning the play-off final 3-1 on aggregate against Tenerife.
Girona were once again bouncing around the Spanish leagues, but their top flight debut during the 2022-23 season showed that they are well and capable of hanging with the Spanish giants in the top flight.
Now, the humble Girona are at the summit of the Spanish top flight along with Real Madrid, who only trail by one point. Girona and the Los Blancos have managed to pull away, while Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Bilbao are stacked against each other.
Michel fits like a glove
But what makes this time any different? Well, all signs point to their new head coach, Rayo Vallecano legend, Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz, also known as Michel.
Ever since the 48-year-old took over as the head honcho for Girona, the Catalonian outfit suddenly became the talk of the town.
After pushing Girona to another promotion to La Liga, Michel and his well-oiled machine finished 10th in the league standings during the 2022-23 season, something to be admired considering they’re a newly promoted team.
Girona CEO Ignasi Mas-Bagà, has nothing but praises for his head coach. “He learned Catalan very quickly. He’s won over the fans, he’s won over the board. He’s young, he’s intelligent, he’s ambitious, he’s driven. He’s incredibly good with his players.”
Gironistes are on a meteoric rise, sitting pretty at the summit of the La Liga table and boasting the most potent offence in the whole of Spain.
Coming into this season, Girona were set aside, as most were glued to the glamour of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. But little did they know, there’s a new challenger in town.
Artem Dovbyk’s brilliance
After 21 games played, Girona have netted a total of 51 top-flight goals, eight goals clear of Real Madrid, the second most potent offence in the top flight with 43 goals. Aside from Michel’s offencive structure, the main reason for their success is because of their No. 9, Artem Dovbyk.
After 20 appearances for Gironistes this season, the Ukrainian international leads the La Liga Golden Boot race with 14 goals and five assists, scoring 1.00 goals per 90 with a 32 per cent goal conversion. It won’t be a clear run to the finish line for Dovbyk, though, as Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is right there with 14 goals and three assists of his own.
Dovbyk skyrocketed to the top of the list of the La Liga top scorers after his masterpiece against Sergio Ramos’ Sevilla, his Magnum Opus of the season thus far. The 26-year-old scored a hat-trick against a helpless Sevilla outfit, who once led the match after an opening goal from Bernal in minute 10.
Dovbyk then proceeded to score three-straight La Liga 2024 highlights, tallying a hat-trick in a span of just six minutes!
Managing expectations
Girona will have Celta Vigo at Balaídos as their next opponent for Matchday 22, and the La Liga 2024 odds have the Gironistes as the slight favourites to win.
Aside from their success in the top flight, Michel’s outfit are also making a convincing push in the Copa del Rey, where they’ll face Mallorca in the quarter-final.
Even though they’re atop the La Liga standings, Girona are just the third favourites to win the Cope del Rey, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid placed ahead of them.
Girona are really pulling off the ultimate underdog story, but with their success, head coach Michel still has his head over his shoulders.
“You can think that it is the team’s obligation because what has been done so far is very great, but the objective is not to continue in first position. It is to have a great year and try to reach Europe, which is already a very big goal for Girona,” Michel explained when asked about his team’s aspirations for the La Liga title.
“Madrid, Barça and Atlético are made to fight for La Liga” and Girona is not” quotes Michel Marca.” he added.
Well, it’s safe to say that the Gironistes are overachieving this season, and if they continue their stellar form, their European dreams are well in reach. And who knows, maybe Girona’s first ever La Liga title will ultimately fall into their hands when it’s all said and done.
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