Girona top of La Liga: Michel’s men can win the title in Spain thanks to City Football Group connection and more

Adam Bate visits Girona to find out how and why this small club in Catalonia is top of La Liga and showing Spain’s biggest clubs how it is done; it is a story of Michel’s magnificent coaching, smart recruitment and the support of City Football Group…

Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal

Tuesday 23 January 2024 10:00, UK

On the day that Real Madrid conjured the sort of result that sparks talk of titles, Dani Carvajal’s 99th-minute winner completing a comeback from two down against Almeria, Girona produced a performance truly worthy of champions.

Seville were smashed 5-1 in the Estadio Montilivi on Sunday. La Liga's smallest stadium is providing its biggest story. Seven years after playing in the competition for the first time, Girona top it. Michel and his team deserve it. Spanish football is being taught a lesson.

Girona has never been a football city. It is best known as a bastion of Catalan independence. Yellow ribbons symbolising that struggle adorn every street sign and most of the drain pipes. Tourists travel to see the sites of their favourite Game of Thrones scenes.

The emphasis is changing. The theme song from that show is part of the pre-match ritual at Girona but it is the team they are talking about now. Over on Placa dels Mercaders, the flag of independence draped from the balcony has a Girona one for company.

There is a palpable sense of fun to all this. Michel, the head coach, spoke of expecting a «super complicated game» against Sevilla but the home crowd were celebrating with Mexican waves and Poznan-style bouncing long before the final whistle.

Sevilla scored first and early but were behind within five minutes and all but beaten within 10. It is 22 points won from losing positions now, more than any side in