Girona Futbol Club is living a state of euphoria that goes on and on. The team coached by Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz ("Míchel") is playing an historic season and does not cease to break through one barrier after another. Yesterday, in the first Catalan derby of the season, they won a victory that will be remembered by Girona fans for many years. After a fast-paced match at Montjuïc, the blanc-i-vermell - "the white-and-reds"- defeated Barça 4-2 on blaugrana turf for the first time in history thanks to goals from Dovbyk, Miguel Gutiérrez, Valery and Stuani, adding three points that, thanks to Real Madrid's stumble to a draw away at Betis, put the Catalan team back in first place in La Liga. And this time out on their own, two points clear of the merengues.
Míchel's Girona, one record broken after another
Sixteen almost-immaculate games that force Girona to think big. This team has no ceiling and the statistics show it. With Sunday night's victory over Barça, Míchel's team broke its own record of consecutive games without losing, racking up a sequence of eight so far. Since the defeat (0-3) they suffered against Real Madrid at their Montilivi ground, the Girona side have brought home the three points in every game.
But these are not the only figures that allow Girona to dream of major milestones. And the blanc-i-vermell are not an accidental leader. Comparing their numbers with the other major teams in Europe, their total points, wins and attacking play records are among the best on the continent. In fact, the team from the city in the north of Catalonia, is the European team from the five major leagues that has most victories under its belt, more than Inter Milan and Real Madrid. In addition, with 38 goals in favour, they equal the mark of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, and are only surpassed by Bayern Munich (44) and Bayer Leverkusen (39).
Míchel confirms Girona's ambitions: "We can aspire to everything"
Thus, well into December and approaching the mid-point of the season, Girona is dining at the very top table of club football. This is precisely what Míchel highlighted in the press conference following the match against Barça, which marked his 100th appearance on the Girona bench. "Winning here makes us think about Europe, without a doubt. We can aspire to everything. If we are able to continue like this for a long time, everything is possible. I am very proud of my players," said the Madrid-born coach who spent most of his playing days with Rayo Vallecano.
Míchel also emphasized that this is not a leadership resulting from "the big teams having bad times", noting that Real Madrid, Barça, and Atlético are all racking up victories and thus Girona FC's league leadership is the result of excellent work, which is gradually obtaining results. However, to think about a Spanish league title you have to take it one step at a time. And Girona's coach knows that perfectly. "I don't know if we are able to withstand the level of Barça, Real Madrid and Atlético throughout the season, but the level the team is playing at makes me happy. The players are making history", explained a Míchel who highlighted this triumph as the most special of his career because "it's the leadership and it's against a great Barça, who had just won a very difficult match in the Champions League and also against Atlético". In only their fifth season in Spain's first division, the Girona team and their manager Míchel never tire of smashing down the barriers and the next one will be to give joy to the home fans at Montilivi by defeating Alavès in the next round of La Liga.