Girona needs a deep squad to manage an season that includes Champions League soccer.
Away from the hype around Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid this transfer window, Girona—Spain’s big overachiever on everybody’s lips during the 2023/24 campaign—has tiptoed relatively unnoticed.
Having fallen away towards the end of last term and with its rivals since welcoming exciting new stars in the offseason, you can see why. Even so, as Girona prepares to kick off its La Liga season away to Real Betis on Thursday, its third-place league finish last time out means the bar is high. And for a team not used to competing near the top.
Despite slipping under the radar, there are changes afoot at Montilivi, too. Regarding crucial player exits, Girona has already sold prolific scorer Artem Dovbyk to Roma and its chief midfielder, Aleix García, to Bayer Leverkusen. On loan until the end of May, fleet-footed winger Savinho was never formally a Girona player. But his departure to Manchester City, although anticipated, has stripped away much-needed firepower. The same goes for Yan Couto, now at Borussia Dortmund.
Savinho's absence could be the biggest blow to Girona in the coming weeks and months.
With some of the money from the sales, Girona’s key signings are forward Abel Ruiz, playmaker Donny van de Beek, extremo Bryan Gil and center-back-slash-midfielder Ladislav Krejčí. They are all talented players, yet each has a point to prove—none more so than van de Beek and Gil after their moves to the Premier League didn’t work out.
More pertinent is the preparation for the games that count, which have proven far from smooth. Head coach Míchel has seen Girona win just one of seven preseason matches. Such tests can be red herrings with little bearing on the upcoming competitive assignments. Still, they are part of a broader issue. Players featuring at international tournaments and a virus in the squad have equally halted any momentum.
Of course, Míchel’s continuation at the helm is encouraging. However, even he feels the buildup is scuppering plans. “Right now, I don’t have a clear idea of the team, nor the way of playing,” he told Catalan radio station RAC1, as relayed (Spanish) by La Vanguardia on Monday. “Injuries, players at the Euros, at the Olympics, signings arriving late... I’m worried about that. About not being able to train together,” he added.
Michel wants to keep his well-oiled Girona machine purring.
Everything clicked in 2023/24 because there was a balance to the side. A strong and settled lineup is paramount to impressing again. That seems obvious, but Míchel—very precise about the style of play—needs that squad harmony to work his magic, perhaps more than most bosses. Whatever transpires, a historic few months await. Having never played a European tie, Girona will soon be battling against the best in the Champions League.
This season will show whether Girona can keep succeeding as the little brother to Manchester City under the City Football Group’s multi-club ownership. Operating within this model has advantages, like having a defined sporting philosophy and excellent access to up-and-coming talents. Yet downsides temper this, namely stars moving on to further their careers elsewhere. It’s time to discover just how strong Girona is.
A mid-table finish or lower could see the bubble burst. Back-to-back European qualification—while continuing its entertaining brand of soccer—would be an achievement.