The Catalan newcomers appeared to have been put in their place and their bold aspirations of winning La Liga seemed to have been fiction all along when Real Madrid dominated Girona with a 3-0 victory in the cozy Estadi Montilivi in September.
Over four months have passed since that setback, and the team that many said would be fighting for relegation is still neck and neck with Carlo Ancelotti’s highly talented Real Madrid team, down by two points.
Following that defeat, Girona has won 11 of their last 15 league games and is now unbeaten in 15. If they can pull off a historic victory at the Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday, they may unseat Real Madrid from the top place.
Girona manager Michel has been at pains to play down his side’s chances of shattering the status quo in Spanish football by winning the title only seven years since the humble club first played in LaLiga.
After all, the last club other than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid to finish top was Valencia 20 years ago and they were hardly regarded as underdogs.
But for neutrals, and those desperate for a new narrative, Girona’s challenge to the elite has been a breath of fresh air.
Girona may be part of the same City Football Group stable as English and European champions Manchester City but they operate in another universe in terms of financial firepower.
Michel has constructed a youthful squad with an attacking style that is easy on the eye.
