Is it within the realm of possibility for Girona to clinch the La Liga title?

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Like a bad case of the flu, Girona just won’t go away in the La Liga title race. With 21 matches played, Girona are top of the table, with 52 points.

Although Real Madrid have a game in hand, Girona are not wavering in their bid for a first-ever La Liga title.

But with Los Rojiblancos top of the table with just 17 matches left to play, there is a real sense that the title could go to tiny Girona.

Sure, Girona are owned by City Football Group, the same owners who own Manchester City. CFG owns 47% of the club, but unlike Man City, cannot put heavy levels of finances into the team due to La Liga’s salary cap.

CFG may not be able to plough money into the side, but it has used some of the same recruitment tactics to land players. The work Girona’s front office did in the transfer market flies in the face of clubs like Barcelona.

Girona’s squad was put together with modest means, while Barcelona spent millions on transfers and salaries. Yet, Barca are only third in the division and eight points off first-place Girona.

The best piece of recruitment Girona pulled off was the signing of striker Artem Dovbyk. The Ukrainian was unknown until this season thanks to his 14 goals in La Liga.

Signed from Ukraine’s SC Dnipro 1, Dovbyk is one of the most sought-after players in European football.

The 26-year-old thrived playing in Ukraine but failed on his first move outside the country in 2018 at Midtjylland. He now tops the goal scoring statistics in Spain.

Dovbyk has been the catalyst for Girona’s attack, which is the best in La Liga, with 51 goals, eight more than Real Madrid. Defensively, Girona have been good enough, relying mostly on the attack to get them out of jams.

Compared to their rivals, Girona have a squad made up of players few fans will be familiar with. Sure, there is on-loan Barcelona player Eric Garcia and on-loan Man City player Yan Couto, but most of the squad is unknown.

Seventeen La Liga matches separate Girona from a first-ever title. It is a long road, with matches left to play against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, Atletico, Barcelona, and Valencia. On paper, it seems like too many difficult games against La Liga’s strongest historical clubs.

Yet, Girona have been defying the odds all season. Girona are still longshots to win La Liga. Madrid are favourites to lift the trophy once more. It does seem inevitable that Madrid will win the title, but for now, Girona can dream.

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Celta de VigoGirona FC 28/01/2024 14:00

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