Girona: Journey of La Liga’s underdogs towards glory

CAIRO – 13 March 2018: Girona surprised football fans with their performances during their first appearance in La Liga this season.

The small Catalan club is placed seventh in the Spanish League table, with 10 games remaining until the end of the season.

Girona’s manager, Pablo Machín, has started a revolution inside the club since he was appointed in 2014.

In his first season with the club, he led them to finish third in the second division league but failed to win a promotion to the top division after losing to Real Zaragoza in the play-off semi-finals. Girona won the first game in Zaragoza but lost the second leg at home 4-1.



Girona’s board trusted their manager after an amazing campaign and they renewed Machín’s contract for three years.

The following year, Girona finished fourth and they reached the play-off final against Osasuna but lost 3-1 on aggregate and failed to achieve their dream.



Girona finally won a promotion in their third attempt under Machín’s command. They finished second in the second division league table and won direct qualification to the Spanish League.



Girona has signed many experienced players before their first campaign in the top division, like Athletic Bilbao’s Gorka Iraizoz, as well as Bernardo Espinosa and Cristhian Stuani from Middlesbrough.

The new players harmonized with the previous players that won the promotion, like Cristian Portugués, Eloi Amagat, Álex Granell and Pere Pons.

Girona’s debut at the top flight was at home against one of the nation giants, Atletico Madrid, and the players responded well to the fans’ chants, ending the game with a 2-2 draw.

Stuani scored both goals to make a memorable debut for his new club, scoring their first ever two goals in the top division.



The draw against Atletico Madrid was good motivation for the players who kept the rhythm during the season, and they have achieved great results against the biggest Spanish clubs.

Girona’s biggest event during the season was hosting their neighbors, Barcelona, in the sixth fixture. Despite their 3-0 loss to Lionel Messi’s teammates, watching Barcelona playing at Estadi Montilivi made the night unforgettable.



Four weeks later, Girona hosted the title holders, Real Madrid, in a game overshadowed by the political crisis between Catalonia and the Spanish government.

Girona fans showed their respect to Real Madrid players off the pitch, but they humiliated them on the pitch and won the game 2-1 after an amazing performance by Machín’s boys.



Girona’s confidence increased after the victory over Real Madrid and they have achieved an away victory over their Catalan neighbors, Espanyol, 1-0.

The team has gained experience throughout their campaign and picked up 43 points from 12 victories and seven draws, while only losing nine games. They are only two points behind the fifth-placed Sevilla.

Girona fans hope the team keeps their run and is be able to finish in the top seven positions of the table to win their first qualification to European competitions.