Find out more about the incredible story of LaLiga executives training on a rented GOLF COURSE and having an ex-Man Utd star in midfield
It has been almost 20 years since a team other than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid won LaLiga.
The three giants have dominated Spanish football since Valencia won the league in the 2003/04 season.
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Atletico has two titles to its name, Real Madrid won six and Barcelona won eleven.
But their stranglehold on LaLiga could finally be over.
That’s because an unlikely club is at the top of the table this season.
The Catalan giants Girona have won nine of their eleven games so far and have only lost once against Real Madrid.
The club belongs to the City Football Group, whose twelve teams also include treble winners Man City.
They are even managed by Pep Guardiola’s brother Pere.
And Girona are leaving their rivals behind this season despite only gaining promotion to LaLiga last year.
Manager Michel, a former Rayo Vallecano and Spain U20 midfielder, has done wonders since his appointment in 2021.
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After leading Rayo and Huesca out of the second division, he led Girona to instant Segunda Division glory.
The minnows haven’t looked back since, finishing a respectable tenth last season ahead of big names like Sevilla and Valencia.
But it’s this season that’s really making fans and pundits take notice.
Girona, who play at the 14,000-capacity Estadi Montilivi, are LaLiga leaders and are two points clear of nearest rivals Real.
They have scored more goals than anyone else this season, finding the back of the net 31 times.
And they also have the fifth-best defense, having only scored 16 goals.
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In fact, the attacks come from all over the pitch, led by Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk with seven goals and four assists.
Winger Savio has scored four goals and provided four assists so far, while former Man City midfielder Yangel Herrera also scored four goals.
And despite being 37 years old, veteran Uruguayan striker Cristhian Stuani has found a new life with four goals.
Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind is also enjoying his time following his summer move, with ex-Premier League stars such as Eric Garcia and Paulo Gazzaniga also impressed.
Girona have picked up impressive wins against teams like Villarreal, Sevilla and Getafe.
But what makes their run even more impressive is the fact that they train on a rented GOLF course.
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Girona has rented two pitches for its first team at the La Vinya sports complex, owned by PGA Golf de Caldas, while the other teams train at the nearby Palau Towers.
The bizarre agreement apparently had no negative impact on Girona’s players and coaching staff.
And once work on a new mega training ground is completed, things could get even better for the club.
The £22m complex in the municipality of Vilablareix will host all of Girona’s teams, including the men’s and women’s first teams and the academy.
Once completed, it will have seven playing fields and another seven artificial turf pitches.
A 16Th The 19th-century farmhouse, located on the 22-hectare property, will also become Girona’s new headquarters.
And the club will look to involve the local community as it makes incredible strides in Spanish football.
But with construction currently delayed due to agricultural issues, Girona will continue to plan their stunning LaLiga title fight from the putting green.