In The Football Newsletter, we love a good underdog story, and few are as captivating as Girona’s rise to the Champions League. After last season’s thrilling La Liga campaign, which saw them finish third behind giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, Girona are now embarking on their first-ever Champions League journey. But like any club taking a step into Europe’s elite competition, they are quickly learning just how steep the climb can be.

To truly appreciate Girona’s remarkable rise, you have to go back to the late 1980s when they were playing in Spain’s third division. For long-time fans like Ivan Quiros, who first attended games during those years, the idea of Girona qualifying for the Champions League was unimaginable. Speaking to the BBC, Quiros described it as “an unattainable and impossible dream, made real.”

That dream became a possibility in 2017 when City Football Group (CFG), the same entity behind Manchester City, invested in Girona. CFG’s involvement helped stabilise the club financially and brought a professional structure that transformed their fortunes. Girona were promoted to La Liga for the first time that same year, and just six years later, they finished third in Spain’s top flight, scoring an impressive 85 goals, only two fewer than champions Real Madrid.

Girona’s journey to the Champions League has been meteoric, but the realities of competing against Europe’s elite are now hitting home. With only 9,600 fans allowed at their Estadi Montilivi, thanks to UEFA’s stadium rules, their modest ground is a far cry from the massive arenas of their rivals.

For fans like Jan Nadal Colome, who has held a season ticket since 2012, this is a far different experience from the days when crowds were in the hundreds. He fondly recalls how fans could “walk all the way around the stadium” during matches. Now, Girona’s home stadium will be the backdrop for their third Champions League game on Wednesday against Slovan Bratislava.

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing so far. Girona suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday One, courtesy of a 90th-minute own goal. They followed that up with a frustrating 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord, where they missed a penalty and, remarkably, scored two own goals. As it stands, Girona sit 12th in La Liga after 10 games, a significant drop-off from last season’s high-flying form.

Girona’s rapid rise to Europe’s grandest stage has been thrilling, but some are wondering if last season’s success was a one-off. Miquel Agut Riera, who commentates on Girona matches, believes that the sudden leap into the Champions League may have come too soon for the club.

Key departures over the summer have certainly contributed to their struggles. Last season’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk moved to Roma, while young star Savinho was snapped up by Manchester City for €40 million. Girona also lost Aleix Garcia to Bayer Leverkusen and saw defender Eric Garcia return to Barcelona after a successful loan spell.

With so many new faces—11 players in total—it’s no surprise that Girona are finding it hard to replicate last season’s magic. As Riera explained, integrating this many new signings is no easy task, especially with the relentless schedule that comes with competing in both La Liga and the Champions League.

City Football Group has played a pivotal role in Girona’s development. CFG bought a 44.3% stake in the club in 2017, increasing their share to 47% in 2020. The investment has been a game-changer for Girona, allowing them to modernise their infrastructure and build a squad capable of competing at the top level of Spanish football.

However, Girona’s close ties to Manchester City have also raised some eyebrows. To meet UEFA’s regulations—since Manchester City are also in the Champions League—CFG had to transfer some of their shares to a blind trust to limit their influence at the club. These shares will be returned in 2025, but until then, Girona must navigate their Champions League campaign under these restrictions.

City’s involvement has certainly provided benefits. Several talented young players have joined Girona on loan from Manchester City, some with great success, like right-back Yan Couto, who was sold to Borussia Dortmund this summer for €30 million after two impressive loan spells. Others, like former City loanee Angelino, struggled to make an impact.

For Girona fans, the CFG connection is largely seen as a positive. As supporter Jan Nadal Colome put it, “We’ve been lucky with these owners. They’re building the club’s future, step by step.”

While City Football Group may have provided Girona with financial backing, the man who has truly shaped the club’s success is sporting director Quique Carcel. Appointed in 2014, Carcel has been at the heart of Girona’s journey, guiding them through promotions, relegations, and rebuilding seasons.

Carcel is known for his shrewd transfer dealings, often finding diamonds in the rough or taking smart gambles on young talent. His ability to build competitive squads on a modest budget has been key to Girona’s rise. Last season, the team that finished third in La Liga cost just €33.75 million in transfer fees—pennies compared to the €573 million Real Madrid’s squad cost.

Journalist Xevi Masachs praises Carcel’s ability to adapt to different situations, saying that he’s “built teams that fought for success until the last day.” With a contract running until 2027, Carcel remains central to Girona’s ambitions.

On the sidelines, head coach Michel has been another important figure in Girona’s success. Since arriving in 2021, Michel has won over the fans with his commitment to the club, even learning Catalan to strengthen his connection with the community. His fearless, attacking football brought praise last season, and under his leadership, Girona have punched well above their weight.

Michel’s contract runs until 2026, but there are already concerns that his growing reputation could see him leave sooner. “Playing Champions League may be the best he thinks he can achieve here,” said Riera.

As Girona continue their Champions League journey, they face the tough task of balancing their European adventure with the demands of La Liga. But one thing is certain: regardless of how this season ends, Girona have already made history, and their story is far from over.

Stay tuned for more insights and stories like this in The Football Newsletter, where we keep you up to date on all the latest from the world of football’s unsung heroes and rising stars.