Girona's path to the play-offs

Girona FC completed their best ever season in the Liga Adelante and are now set for their second bite at the cherry of the play-offs for promotion to the Liga BBVA.  Pablo Machín’s side had a great season and were only outside the automatic promotion spots in the first matchday of the campaign but ended up in third place, on 82 points.

Now the albirrojos will contest their second play-off. The first time around, in season 2012-13, they overcame AD Alcorcón in the first round, drawing 1-1 away and then winning 3-1 at home at Montilivi to reach the final against UD Almería. They lost the home leg 1-0 and then went down 3-0 in Andalusia.

The coach: Pablo Machín

After gaining experience at CD Numancia, Pablo Machín managed to steer Girona to survival last season, taking over the club when they were in a very difficult situation. He won the confidence of the board and supporters and then in his second season in the dugout lead the team to an extraordinary season. From matchday 2 until 42 the team were in the top two places in the Liga Adelante table, and this was a side that few would have backed to have been fighting for promotion at the start of the campaign. With an unusual formation for the league, a 3-5-2, plus a hard working squad, the coach from Soria worked miracles in taking his side to the cusp of automatic promotion. Now he hopes to be able to maintain his players’strong performances in the play-offs, where any slip ups will be punished dearly.

The star: Fran Sandaza

After a long spell in Spanish football, and, above all, British football, the player from Toledo has finally found his feet. Girona FC has been the one place where the forward has truly exploded, turning into the leader of the Catalan side’s attack, playing alongside two great goalscorers in Jaime Mata and Felipe Sanchón.

Sandaza ended a very consistent season with 16 goals in 2,800 minutes spread over 36 games. Without a doubt, he is the team’s main reference point in attack, scoring goals and contributing four assists. 

The revelation: Álex Granell

Having recently arrived from Segunda División B, the Catalan player has consolidated his place in the albirrojos’midfield. He has become the lynchpin of Pablo Machín’s side, distributing the play, providing assists and even goals. Granell has been a vital play to Girona FC this term —he has played all 42 games, just one starting on the bench, clocking up over 3,500 minutes. He has also scored five goals, including splendid strikes against Real Betis and RC Recreativo.

The key moment of the season

Girona’s excellent record in the second half of the season was key to them rising towards the top part of the table. They lost just three times in their final 21 games in the Liga Adelante, to Real Betis, SD Ponferradina and UD Las Palmas, a run that was fundamental in the albirrojos continuing to fight for automatic promotion. 13 wins, five draws and three defeats was their record in the second half of the season. They’ll be hoping they can maintain the mental and physical strength during the play-offs that helped them rack up such impressive results during the season.