Reality has surpassed dreams. Míchel said at the beginning of the season that “I dream of being in the league of Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo… All of them are fighting to be at the top and their league can take you to fourth or sixth place». The Girona had been able to tie Anoeta in the first match of the championship (1-1), take the lead in the seventh day with a victory at the Ceràmica (1-2) or beat Osasuna at Sadar by thrashing (2 -4) -it was then that Míchel made these statements-; but the technician always reiterated that “our league is not that of Barça, Madrid or Atlético de Madrid» understanding that the three “big ones” of the Spanish First Division eat separately and that fighting for ambitious goals beyond permanence was already an extraordinary event.
The white-and-red set secured last Sunday the third place of the classification with a resounding triumph against Valencia in Mestalla (1-3), to which was added the defeat of Atlético de Madrid against Osasuna at the Metropolitano (1-4). Without expecting it, but working hard to try to achieve it, Míchel’s have been able to break the hegemony of the league and yes, as much as the coach didn’t realize it at first, it turns out that they did compete in the same league as Barça, Madrid and Atlético. did twelve seasons that no team managed to sneak in between the Blaugrana, the Whites and the Matlassas and left one off the podium. The last was the Valencia in the 2011-12 season. What the people of Girona have done has enormous merit.
An exceptional season
With the last day still to be played, which with LaLiga’s schedule change, Girona will play against Granada this Friday in Montilivi (9:00 p.m.), we already know how things will end. Everything is decided with Madrid the champion, Barça second, Girona third and Atlético fourth – all four will go to the Champions League -; Athletic fifth and Real Sociedad sixth – they will play in the Europa League -; and Betis seventh – it is the last to enter European competition, it will do so in the Conference League -. While in the lower part Almeria, cuer, Granada (19th) and Cadiz (18th) are relegated. Therefore, only the rest of the positions for which there is nothing at stake will be distributed.
In the previous twelve courses, there were no surprises in the league like the one Girona gave this year. The first, second and third places went like this: Barça, Madrid and Atlético (2022-23); Madrid, Barça and Atlético (2021-22); Atlético, Madrid and Barça (2020-21); Madrid, Barça and Atlético (2019-20); Barça, Atlético and Madrid (2018-19; Barça, Atlético and Madrid (2017-18); Madrid, Barça and Atlético (2016-17); Barça, Madrid and Atlético (2015-16); Barça, Madrid and Atlético (2014) -15); Atlético, Barça and Madrid (2013-14); Barça, Madrid and Atlético (2012-13).
To find a team other than Barça, Madrid or Atlético that finished in the top three, you have to go back to 2011-12 when Unai Emery’s Valencia finished third. Then, the Valencian players needed 61 points. This season, Girona have a total of 78 and the last day has yet to be played in Montilivi, so Míchel’s team can finish with more than 80 points.
Barça, Madrid and Atlético have dominated the league for many years and share the biggest part of the pie between them, but previously it had been more varied. The 2011-12 season was the third consecutive that Valencia finished in third place, after also doing so in 2010-11 and 2009-10. Sevilla did it in 2008-09; while in 2007-08 Vila-real was able to be second ahead of Barça. Or, for example, 20 years ago Deportivo de la Coruña finished third with 71 points.
It is therefore understood that Míchel assured after the match in Mestalla that “I can’t ask for anything more from the players»: «It is a historic season. We have achieved third position with, as of today, 78 points, which is an incredible number for us and for the league. I am very happy because, on top of the fact that the result is very good, I have the feeling that the team has enjoyed the trip». Now the challenge is to finish the league in a big way overcome the barrier of 80 points.
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2024-05-20 16:08:17
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