Girona: Real-Barça are behind them

 

Girona tops La Liga: AFP

For 93 years no one discussed them like that. As an ordinary club, it was in a corner of the map in world football. In the crowd of so many big names, where is the time to look at a simple team like Girona! People's eyes are always focused on history, traditions and achievements, which are not completely irrelevant.

But the eternal beauty of football hides some miraculous stories. Which sometimes makes the difference between big and small or strength-weakness. It is in that miraculous beauty of football that teams like Leicester City emerge as champions of the Premier League. Clubs like Napoli won the league after 33 years along the same path. Because of that miracle, when you look at the La Liga points table at the moment, you will see Girona's name at the top.

If you don't keep up with club football news regularly, you might not believe it at first glance. So maybe take a second look. But the team you'll still see at the top is not reigning champions Barcelona, ​​not Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid, or even Atletico Madrid, considered the third superpower in Spanish club football. That team's name is Girona. Not after one or two matches, the team is at the top after 13 league matches.

It's not like Real Madrid or Barcelona have had a bad game but Girona have come out on top. The Catalan club is at the top by playing their best football. 11 wins in 13 matches with one draw and one loss. The only loss was against Real. Before that, when Girona was at the top after 12 matches, they took several records. For example, for the first time in 20 years, Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid and Atlético played 12 matches as a team outside In the end, Girona showed the achievement of being on top. In addition, Girona has won 11 of the first 13 league matches as the fourth team in history. Among others, Real achieved the feat 7 times, Barcelona 6 times and Atlético 2 times.

Coach Michael, Girona's real hero: AFP

Back-to-back winners, however, are playing in the top tier of Spanish football for just the fourth time. Even 17 years ago, Girona played in the fourth tier with 364 other regional teams. The old nightmare is now like a fairy tale for Girona. The question is, where is the root of this sudden success of Girona?

This success is not as sudden as it seems. It all began in 2017, 1,000 miles north of Manchester, England. That year Girona became part of Manchester City Football Group (CFG). They also created a surprise by beating Real in that season. After that, they are gradually benefiting from the advice and organizational structure of the City.

Girona City have also benefited greatly from players. Many players who were primed to challenge for the Premier League at City were sold to other clubs after failing to live up to Pep Guardiola's standards. Girona has also benefited from buying such a player. An example is striker Tati Castellanos. Castellanos scored 14 goals for Girona last season. Whom Girona brought on loan from New York City FC. New York City is another CFG club. Later, however, he was bought by Lazio for 20 million euros. Girona's current squad also has a number of players with direct links to City.

19-year-old Brazilian winger Savio, who has 3 goals and 4 assists this season. The youngster comes from Troyes, another CFG club. Brazilian right-back Ian Cotto has arrived directly from Man City. Similarly, attacking midfielder Yangel Herrera has also joined Girona after playing on loan at several clubs from City. Yangel has scored 4 goals so far.

Real have both after Judd Bellingham spell: AFP

And finally, we have to talk about Alex Garcia. Another from City, who is probably Girona's most important player at the moment. Garcia, who played 9 games for City from 2015-17, is in his best form for Girona. The Spaniard tops La Liga for touches and passes in the final third. Even off the pitch, City have great connections in Girona. The current executive president of the club is Pere Guardiola, who is about Pep Guardiola's brother. City's influence is reflected in Girona's football philosophy due to these various affiliations. Where the team is seen playing possession-based football using attacking football and inverted fullbacks.

Yet it would be a mistake to think of Girona entirely as City 2.0. And the CFG affiliation is one of the reasons for their success, but not the only one. The club is heavily influenced by two local men whose personalities and footballing philosophy have greatly influenced the club. One of whom is club president Delphi Gelli. Who played for Girona, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Then in 2015, he started a new journey in Girona with administrative duties.

And the other is Sporting Director Kweke Karsel. Who has been with the club since 2014. His discretion in selecting players for the club played a major role in Girona's development. Carcelle has picked all the players that are effective for the club on a small budget, which has taken the club a long way. In particular, he brought in several players from multiple clubs in war-torn Ukraine, which benefited the team immensely.

And above all we have to talk about Girona's coach Michael. The Spanish coach took over in the summer of 2021 and brought Girona from the second division to the top league. Michael made the team great with the combination of youth and experience. Similarly, he created a great combination of talented international footballers with local talent. Michael conducts the entire group like a conductor of an orchestra.

Barcelona are number three: AFP

Things have been going well for Girona so far this season. If they continue this trend, they can do great things. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about the team, "Everything is going well for Girona. It must be remembered that they are not playing in European competition and will be playing to win every match. I have no doubt that the team will fight for the La Liga championship.

However, despite progressing at a great pace, their inexperience could pose a major obstacle for Girona in the coming days. No history of winning major titles. And using this opportunity, superpowers like Real-Barca can rise above them. But even then, the thrill that Girona gave in the first 13 matches of the league is something to remember for a long time. And in the end, if you write a fairy tale like Leicester, it will become part of the eternal fairy tale of football.