Are Girona’s Champions League knockout hopes already over?

Girona were undoubtedly the main story of the 2023/24 LaLiga season. In just their fourth top-flight campaign, Michel’s side stunned the rest of the league to force their way into the upper echelons of the table with an exhilarating brand of football. At one point, they threatened to mount a title challenge before they ultimately settled for the sizeable achievement of a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

Many of us would have been looking forward to seeing the 2023/24 version of Girona go up against the best teams that European football has to offer. In an ideal world, Girona supporters would have seen their side hit the Champions League stage with Yan Couto marauding forward from right back, Aleix García controlling the play, Savinho offering the threat from out wide and Artem Dovbyk at his prolific best.