Míchel – Girona – Tactical Analysis

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After nine games of the 2023-24 La Liga season, Míchel’s Girona have won seven games and lost only to Real Madrid. This puts them second to the current title favourites, and in for the season of a lifetime. Here is our tactical analysis of Míchel’s Girona in 2023-24, and how they’ve put on such stunning displays so far this season.

SYSTEM OF PLAY: 3-4-3

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Girona have bounced between two formations this season – switching between a 3-4-3 and a 4-1-4-1. Often times within the 4-1-4-1, the attacking shape tends to resemble more of a 3-4-3. Moreover, it appears as though the team are shifting tactics more in that direction, suiting some of the stars they’ve brought into the fold at the back. With that, that is where we focus our attention in this analysis.

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Many back-three formations tend to be built around poise in possession and fluidity across the lines. Miguel Ángel Sánchez’s Girona are no different. They’ve excelled this season with classy ball-playing defenders out from the back like Eric Garcia, Daley Blind, and 34-year-old David Lopez at the base.

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In front of them is the team vice-captain Aleix Garcia, who at the present moment has been one of the league’s standout players and could easily garner attention from Europe’s elite clubs any time now.

But there’s also plenty of excitement further forward to bolster their attack and score goals for fun, including the 19-year-old wing wizard Sávio. The flamboyant Brazilian has contributed to six goals in nine matches, playing a perfect distraction for the powerful ‘Target’ that is Artem Dovbyk.

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Yan Couto provides a bit of flair down the other side as the high-flying wing-back to deliver crosses into the box, whilst Yangel Herrera has wonderfully bossed games alongside Garcia in midfield.

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Even at that, this is not a team that boasts an eleven good enough to actively challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona. But within their principles of play, they’ve certainly made enough of a splash to contest La Liga’s best.

ATTACKING PRINCIPLES

Girona typically build out from the back with a back-three, involving their classy ball-playing defenders and occasionally Paulo Gazzaniga in goal as additional support.

This will happen most often in transition, where Girona’s high-line ensures that Gazzaniga’s starting position allows him to be an initial option when the defenders recover and recycle the ball. Sometimes they overplay their shorter passes out from the back and get into trouble, forcing themselves to give the ball away or go long.

But once progressing into midfield areas, they tend to shift the ball around well, remaining patient in breaking through the lines. The low position of the two central midfielders in front of the back-three naturally pulls the opposition with them, thus opening space for players in behind.

As they advance further forward into the attacking half, that shape stays the same, and now the ball must be worked quickly to break the opposition’s compactness.

One of the ways that they do this by working the ball wide and creating overloads. As they over-compact one side and shift the opposition to do the same, they will then look to use their defenders to switch play to the other side.

Once the ball is worked wide, they love to deliver crosses into the box, primarily for the big ‘Target’ up front in Artem Dovbyk. Yan Couto and Sávio have both threatened with their skill and technique from wide areas, and the Ukrainian powerhouse is a constant nuisance in the box.

Daley Blind will also gallop up the pitch to deliver crosses from the left, with Aleix Garcia typically coming down the other side Joshua Kimmich styled to cross the ball into the box.

As the opposition focus all of their attention on the players rushing into the box, Garcia’s great about getting forward to strike from distance, where he’ll curl the ball into the back of the net from range.

Now again, they haven’t always started in a 3-4-3, or utilized principles that resemble one. In the 4-1-4-1, a common build-up shape is more often 2+3 or a 3+3 involving Gazzaniga. Since Sávio tends to hug the touchline, Miguel Gutiérrez can often start from an inverted position. But he will race out wide as the ball moves to the left, ensuring he can open up more of the width.

The 22-year-old Spaniard can even be seen inverting into the half-spaces as the team attack the opposition’s half. This in turn allows more time and space for Sávio to take players on 1v1 and deliver magic out wide.

In transition, the Catalonian club attack quickly through that front-three, with Sávio often driving forward and playing passes into the channel running of Artem Dovbyk.

But the Ukrainian is also excellent with his back-to-goal and thrives off give-and-go’s with his teammates as the provider instead.

Then when you have Aleix Garcia delivering long passes on a dime, it’s easy to see why Girona have been so fruitful within their attacking play this season.

With 19 goals from their first 9 matches, Girona have enjoyed one of their best starts to a season in their history. It will be difficult to keep hold of some of their breakout stars like Sávio and Yan Couto, but for the time being, they’re in for a big season. Especially if they can sure up their tactics on the defensive end.

DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES

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Whilst boasting one of the best attacks in the league, Girona have also showed up at the other end of the pitch, with their experience shining through at the back. Their main problems have primarily been from set-pieces, where they’ve conceded a league-leading 4 goals, and in transition, where their high-line can cause issues.

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However, the positives have been within their stern counter-press, where they quickly swarm the opposition upon losing the ball. The closest to the ball will always pressure immediately, and the compactness they exude in attack naturally aids their approach. The high attacking position of Aleix Garcia comes as a particular benefit at times, and the 26-year-old nicely cuts counter attacks off before they reach the defense.

Opposition sides will look to hit passes in behind Girona’s high-line, where they lack genuine speed to cope with counters. However, David López often gives himself plenty of room to sweep up the messes in behind, and he’s handled his transitional moments fairly well despite now being 34 and closing out his career.

Nevertheless, the lack of pace can mean that one swift movement into the box results in a goal. Daley Blind can’t turn and accelerate as quickly as many of the league’s centre-forwards, and for all the brilliance he offers in possession, he’s not the one you want running backward to mop up the messes.

But Girona can be proud of their pressing principles from the front of their defense, where they nicely compact in diamonds. The fullbacks are good about jumping up to thwart wide attacks, and the two men in midfield often provide a nice balance.

Within the 3-4-3, you’ll often see Yangel Herrera jumping up as Aleix Garcia hangs in behind, creating a 5-1-3-1 pressing shape.

They’ve been good at limiting forward progression and winning back possession in the attacking half. But it’s when the opposition find a way through that they are more likely to struggle. Even one centre-back stepping up is enough to cause chaos at the back, where they can suddenly find themselves exposed.

Eleven goals conceded in their opening nine matches isn’t the worst in the league, but it will be something to keep an eye on as they push for a place inside the top four. They need to sure up their solidity from set-pieces and transitional moments to ensure they don’t have to score bundles of goals every game to stay in the top four race.

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That said, it’s been a fabulous season so far for Girona, and one that they can certainly be proud of under the influence of Míchel and some stellar summer recruitment. Thanks for reading and see you soon!

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