Luis Garcia explains the similarities between Girona's current run, Leicester City's extraordinary victory in the EPL 2015/16

Most football fans might see Girona's surprise rise to the top of La Liga as an oddity at the start of the season, but former Spain, Barcelona and Liverpool winger Luis Garcia disagree. The Spanish side has an impressive record of 12 wins, two losses and one draw so far, level with reigning champions Real Madrid, and four points above third-placed Barcelona.

Girona coach Michel has played down his side's chances of winning the title, saying they are not at the league's elite level, although they are level on 38 points with Los Blancos, only behind on goal difference. Due to this achievement, Luis Garcia sees similarities between Girona's current achievements and Leicester City's extraordinary victory in the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.

On one occasion, Luis Garcia openly compared Girona to Leicester, who shocked the world by winning the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season. "Girona just came out of nowhere," Garcia told Reuters. "This is the new Leicester, isn't it? With Leicester, I remember the talk was the same [Oh, you know, they'll be relegated]."

After gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2014, Leicester needed a remarkable late effort to avoid what looked like relegation the following season, before embarking on a remarkable title run the following season. Girona, who earned promotion via the play-offs in the 2021/22 season and finished 10th in La Liga last season, looks set to follow a similar scenario.

"Why can't it be like Girona?" Garcia said. "They don't play European competitions. They don't have many international players." Garcia went on to say that Girona has no European competitions to worry about at the moment and can rest and rotate their players if necessary. "They can rest, they can rotate every week, and they can field their best 11 players every weekend. It's not easy to beat this team." "Will they feel the pressure in the last part of the season? Maybe. But we said the same about Leicester."

The Blanquivermells have emerged as a formidable force in La Liga, defying expectations with outstanding performances in the 2023/24 season. After gaining promotion to the top division of Spanish football in the 2016-17 season, Girona experienced a journey full of twists and turns, including relegation and promotion. However, under the steady leadership of President Delf Geli and Sports Director Quique Cárcel since 2015, along with the full support of their coach, the club has found an identity and a support system that drives them towards success.