Backed By Manchester, Girona Fly The Flag For Catalunya
Under a shimmering sunset 99 kilometers away from Barcelona, tiny Girona stood up against Madrid to seemingly end their title hopes, whilst simultaneously sending a message to the big-wigs on the capital on behalf of Catalunya.
Girona are perhaps the smallest club in La Liga and in comparison to their Catalan cousins, FC Barclona and Espanyol, barely scratch the surface in terms in of support. But they have heart. And, more importantly, they have the backing of one of the biggest super groups in world football.
Their sensational win over Real Madrid at home had meant to much more to a team commencing their first season in La Liga than three points. This victory was symbolic. It was a giant two fingers the Champions of Europe, but also to the Spanish cabinet back in Madrid. Their cousins in Barcelona will surely be sending thanks, as their eternal rivals from the Capital now sit eight points adrift at the top of the league, a margin that has never been overturned by a Madrid side.
At the centre of independence movement was the tiny, colourful town of Girona. Where three rivers merge, but one political voice shouts the loudest and where movements of 'independecia' are the strongest. Whilst videos of a peaceful movement surfaced from Barcelona, their neighbours ultimately saw some of the bloodiest protests and it made victory sweeter still.
Spanish football is more than just intercity rivalry, it's more than el Clasico, it's a voice for the people and almost always there is a figurehead behind it. In this case, the figure is Carles Puigdemont. The leader of the 'independent' Catalan government, an ex-Girona season ticket holder and the leader of the Catalan government. Puigdemont is also the so called 'enemy' of Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy is a Madrid fan, and Los Blancos more often than not represent Centralism, the Spanish state -- the enemy. It's a role that Real are used to playing over the years, but not in these settings.
A packed Estadio Montolivi saw Madrid put perilously to the sword in such emphatic style on a warm autumnal evening. Despite being the smallest team with the lowest budget in La Liga, Girona have certainly settled on a system under Machín, and a style that accommodates a young squad that features no less than 7 loanees, 5 from Manchester City.
Their graceful, fluid 3-5-2 system hassled, harried and outplayed Real for large measures of the game and when Stuani and then Portu struck within minutes of each other the people began to dream. Their outbursts of emotion could be heard for miles around, from the "oles" to the cries of "freedom!" and "indepencia!" as the sun began to set on a famous win and Los Blancos hopes of overturning a deficit.
Puigdemont must have been smiling to himself.
They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery and Zidane succumbed, opting to match Girona man-for-man, but they stood no chance as los Blanquivermell (Red and Whites) moved the ball with ease, poise and precision. Girona carved through the midfield thirds, exposed a fragile Real Madrid back line and lady luck certainly shone on the Catalans as Portu flicked in their deciding goal. Right back Pablo Maffeo, on loan from City, kept Ronaldo quiet as he had done to Messi in the weeks preceding this tie. The commentators called him "the babysitter" and surely now Guardiola will sit up and take notice of a full-back with a brilliantly bright future ahead of him.
Guardiola is a name that has close connections to the tiny Catalan club. Not only do his currently employers own half of Girona but his brother, Pere, owns the other. Seen as a long-term investment to kick-start the City production line the 88.6% of Girona owned by City and Guardiola Esq. is reported to have cost just €7m. That investment is certainly paying off as talent such as Maffeo Aleix Garcia and Marlos Moreno continue to impress on a weekly basis.
Unlike the snap Catalan election, this victory for Girona was anything but a smash-and-grab, as the rampant home side hit the post twice putting the Champions up against the ropes from the first shrill blast of the referees whistle until the last. Girona, with all their resource will continue to impression and if the election hasn't meant made the rest of Spain sit up and take note, this result certainly has.
Girona are perhaps the smallest club in La Liga and in comparison to their Catalan cousins, FC Barclona and Espanyol, barely scratch the surface in terms in of support. But they have heart. And, more importantly, they have the backing of one of the biggest super groups in world football.
Their sensational win over Real Madrid at home had meant to much more to a team commencing their first season in La Liga than three points. This victory was symbolic. It was a giant two fingers the Champions of Europe, but also to the Spanish cabinet back in Madrid. Their cousins in Barcelona will surely be sending thanks, as their eternal rivals from the Capital now sit eight points adrift at the top of the league, a margin that has never been overturned by a Madrid side.
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| Estadio Montolivi |
At the centre of independence movement was the tiny, colourful town of Girona. Where three rivers merge, but one political voice shouts the loudest and where movements of 'independecia' are the strongest. Whilst videos of a peaceful movement surfaced from Barcelona, their neighbours ultimately saw some of the bloodiest protests and it made victory sweeter still.
Spanish football is more than just intercity rivalry, it's more than el Clasico, it's a voice for the people and almost always there is a figurehead behind it. In this case, the figure is Carles Puigdemont. The leader of the 'independent' Catalan government, an ex-Girona season ticket holder and the leader of the Catalan government. Puigdemont is also the so called 'enemy' of Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy is a Madrid fan, and Los Blancos more often than not represent Centralism, the Spanish state -- the enemy. It's a role that Real are used to playing over the years, but not in these settings.
A packed Estadio Montolivi saw Madrid put perilously to the sword in such emphatic style on a warm autumnal evening. Despite being the smallest team with the lowest budget in La Liga, Girona have certainly settled on a system under Machín, and a style that accommodates a young squad that features no less than 7 loanees, 5 from Manchester City.
Their graceful, fluid 3-5-2 system hassled, harried and outplayed Real for large measures of the game and when Stuani and then Portu struck within minutes of each other the people began to dream. Their outbursts of emotion could be heard for miles around, from the "oles" to the cries of "freedom!" and "indepencia!" as the sun began to set on a famous win and Los Blancos hopes of overturning a deficit.
Puigdemont must have been smiling to himself.
They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery and Zidane succumbed, opting to match Girona man-for-man, but they stood no chance as los Blanquivermell (Red and Whites) moved the ball with ease, poise and precision. Girona carved through the midfield thirds, exposed a fragile Real Madrid back line and lady luck certainly shone on the Catalans as Portu flicked in their deciding goal. Right back Pablo Maffeo, on loan from City, kept Ronaldo quiet as he had done to Messi in the weeks preceding this tie. The commentators called him "the babysitter" and surely now Guardiola will sit up and take notice of a full-back with a brilliantly bright future ahead of him.
Guardiola is a name that has close connections to the tiny Catalan club. Not only do his currently employers own half of Girona but his brother, Pere, owns the other. Seen as a long-term investment to kick-start the City production line the 88.6% of Girona owned by City and Guardiola Esq. is reported to have cost just €7m. That investment is certainly paying off as talent such as Maffeo Aleix Garcia and Marlos Moreno continue to impress on a weekly basis.
Unlike the snap Catalan election, this victory for Girona was anything but a smash-and-grab, as the rampant home side hit the post twice putting the Champions up against the ropes from the first shrill blast of the referees whistle until the last. Girona, with all their resource will continue to impression and if the election hasn't meant made the rest of Spain sit up and take note, this result certainly has.
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