Catalan side Girona FC stunned football fans following a 4-3 home win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, January 4.
The win now puts the team, which has taken this season’s Spanish La Liga campaign by storm, level on points with leaders Real Madrid.
Furthermore, the team which is playing in just its fourth season in the Spanish topflight has defied the odds registering impressive performances this season.
Halfway through the season, the win against Atletico was Girona’s fifteenth win in 19 games losing just once in the Spanish topflight this season and registering two draws.
Among the historical landmarks besides their impressive run this season has been huge wins against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Girona records massive wins
First, Girona made a strong case to be considered genuine contenders for the title by beating Catalan rivals Barcelona 4-2 in December 2023.
The team went on to make history on January 4, 2024, after a thrilling 4-3 win against Atletico Madrid.
Ivan Martin’s stoppage-time goal earned the Catalan side a win in the dramatic match, leaving them level on points with Real Madrid at the La Liga summit.
Notably, the team’s bright start of the season kicked off with a draw against Real Sociedad in match week one.
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Furthermore, Girona went ahead to register six consecutive wins before suffering their first loss against Real Madrid.
Historical rise
Girona first earned promotion to La Liga after the 16/17 season finishing runners-up in the Spanish second tier division.
This was the first time that the Catalan side had ever been promoted to La Liga in their 87-year history.
However, the team was relegated to the second division in the 18/19 La Liga season ending their two-year spell in the Spanish top tier.
Nevertheless, in the 21/22 season Girona finished sixth in the second division, managing to achieve promotion to La Liga after winning the play-off final.
Girona further made a stellar campaign in their return back to La Liga in the 22/23 season, finishing 10th place with 49 points.
Kenyan connection
As the team continues to make history on the biggest stage, it is important to note the Kenyan connection within the team.
In September 2017, Kenyan national football team Michael Olunga signed for the then La Liga side for a one-year loan deal.
In one of the matches in the campaign, the Kenyan international scored a hat-trick in the span of 22 minutes during the team’s 6-0 win against Las Palmas to make history in the La Liga.
By virtue of his outstanding performance, he became the first Kenyan player and the first Girona player to score a hat-trick in La Liga.
However, Olunga’s stay at the club was short-lived, recording just sixteen appearances.
City Football Group
In 2017, Girona was purchased by the City Football Group (CFG), which is 81% owned by Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group.
Purchasing a 44.3% stake in 2017, CFG went into business with the Girona Football Group, which held another 44.3%.
Notably, the company is headed by Pere Guardiola, the brother of affiliated Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
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However, the purchase saw the club maintain its name, with the initial badge’s crown removed to be circular, in line with CFG branding.
Since the takeover by CFG, the club’s recruitment policy changed dramatically with notable signings such as living club legend Christian Stuani.
Furthermore, in the last two seasons, CFG’s influence has been clear, as an extraordinarily efficient transfer policy has been implemented.
CFG’s overarching aim is to create a cohesive group of football clubs, effectively growing one football club worldwide.
Other teams under CFG include Manchester City, New York City FC, Yokohama F. Marinos, Troyes, Palermo, among other clubs in the world.
