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Girona are ready to upset the La Liga status quo in 2024 as they look to throw down a title challenge to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The ‘Big Three’ have dominated Spain’s top league in the past two decades, winning every top-flight title since Valencia’s success under Rafael Benitez back in 2004.
However, despite 2023/24 being tipped as another straight battle between Atleti and the Clasico rivals, Girona upset the odds and powered themselves into title contention.
Ahead of Saturday’s mouthwatering clash with Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, Michel’s side are just two points behind Los Blancos. They are six and eight points better off than Barca and Atletico in third and fourth respectively. All of the top four have played 23 games.
There is a refreshing fearlessness about Girona, and they will be a test for any team they face in the months ahead. Here is a look at some of the star players trying to propel them to glory.
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Who are Girona’s best players?
Girona’s sole defeat of the the season so far — against Real Madrid in September — placed them just behind Carlo Ancelotti’s team based on head-to-head record at the beginning of the calendar year.
The Catalan club are unbeaten in LaLiga 2024, winning three and drawing two, including a stirring 4-3 victory over Atletico.
Based on Girona’s 10th-place La Liga finish in 2022/23, their title tilt is all the more surprising this season — one based on coach Michel relying on a solid core of players.
Artem Dovbyk: Striker
Girona made a bold move to sign Ukraine international Dovbyk at the start of the season in a club-record €7 million transfer.
His impact has been instant, with the towering striker offering a focal point for Girona’s attack to allow the Catalan team to progress up the pitch quickly.
A hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Sevilla took him on to 14 LaLiga goals this season, although a muscular injury means he is likely to be a huge miss for the Madrid game.
🇺🇦 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐁𝐘𝐊 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/7N6pkn75z9
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) November 11, 2023
Aleix Garcia: Midfielder
Spain international Garcia arrived back at Girona in 2021 following a loan spell in Catalonia from Manchester City in 2017, and he played a key role in their initial promotion campaign.
His stock has continued to rise since coming back to the Spanish top flight, and despite dropping a major hint over his desire to play for Barcelona in future, he stayed put in January.
🔵🔴 Girona manager Míchel on Aleix Garcia and Barcelona interest: “I feel that Aleix won’t leave us”.
“Honestly I’d hurt if Aleix left. I don’t say that because of Barça, but just because we’d lose a key player for us”.
“But again, I feel he’s staying”, via @Nilsola10. pic.twitter.com/TKuNd4bG1d
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 2, 2024
Four league assists and three goals this term does not necessarily ignite the imagination, but his deeper numbers show his real impact as Michel has ushered him into a playmaking role.
Going into the Madrid game, Garcia topped the charts for Girona in LaLiga this season in terms of passes into the final third (237) and chances created (37)
Yangel Herrera: Midfielder
Herrera’s injury-enforced absence in December was covered as Girona maintained their unbeaten run, but the Venezuelan is a key part of Michel’s set-up.
The 25-year-old is another product of the City Football Group link that binds Girona and Manchester City, after also spending a loan stint at partner club New York City FC in his early career before spells at Huesca, Granada and Espanyol.
City loaned him to Girona in 2022/23 and the Catalans opted to exercise their purchase clause on him in July 2023.
Girona tiene Fe ❤️🤍🇻🇪 https://t.co/qV1PUFmdeo
— Yangel Herrera (@YangelHerrera8) October 28, 2023
He offers an ideal counterpoint to Garcia in the Girona engine room, and his tenacity and ball retention allows the pace of Savio and Yan Couto to support Dovbyk.
A knack of scoring vital goals has developed this season, but his key strength is pressing and bursting away in tight situations. However, he also loves a tackle and will miss the Madrid match due to a yellow card suspension.
Daley Blind: Defender
The former Manchester United defender may not be the most exciting name on this list, but the 33-year-old has become a key leader for Michel.
In a squad littered with loan players, including Savio, Couto, Pablo Torres and Blind’s defensive partner Eric Garcia, the Dutchman has offered an ever-present solidity.
Michel has paired Blind with fellow veteran David Lopez at centre-back, flanked by Garcia and former Real Madrid left-back Miguel Gutierrez, and the duo have rolled back the years this season.
Lopez has shouldered more of the defensive side, with Blind filtering into a hybrid midfield role at times, and he is narrowly behind Garcia for La Liga passes into the final third (234).
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