The night was dark from the start. Everything failed, in Montilivi. Well, not everything, everything except the fans. The people really knew what was at stake. Instead, Girona only realized it when they were already in deep trouble against Mallorca (0-1). Míchel's team had no response right when they could least afford to fail. The details also didn't help, because Echeverri missed a clear goal and two balls hit the post, and despite staying out of the relegation zone this matchday, it could still get much closer - now they are four points away and Sevilla plays on Monday - and the third consecutive defeat will force them to suffer until the end of the championship. They hadn't lost three games in a row since the first three matchdays of the League.

It's not here yet, but almost: Girona took a giant step towards staying in La Liga by defeating Villarreal in an exercise of collective resilience (1-0). With this victory, Míchel's men have an eight-point cushion over the relegation places with 24 points left to play for. It's within reach.

"Honestly, it's better not to know how much money it cost me, all together," explains, laughing, Albert Martínez, who after a lot of years of research, has an enviable collection of Girona items. Among them, all the first kits in the history of the Catalan club. "There are 55 – he says –. Of the first forty years, only four, because they used one each decade. And, later on, one was valid for two seasons." He has searched among antique dealers, sellers, players of all times, and their families to make it possible. Every time he found a relic, before making the corresponding payment, he used to call Jota, the kit manager until last December, to confirm that he wasn't being tricked. "It's difficult, because the club didn't put them on sale until the 2005-06 season," he admits.

Montilivi rose to its feet to applaud Ounahi in the final stages of a match he almost single-handedly won. The Moroccan was key to Girona's important 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao, creating the play that led to Rincón's goal and scoring the second himself in the dying moments. Gazzaniga kept the scoreline in check with several impressive saves, and Echeverri sealed the win at the end. But the star of the show was the Moroccan, for whom a ticket is worth the price of admission, despite today's high prices.

Strong emotions are intense psychological and physiological reactions such as fear, extreme joy, anger, or amazement, often experienced in high-risk situations, adventures, or significant life changes. It's said that these experiences activate the nervous system, release adrenaline, and generate a feeling of alertness or intense pleasure. Almost 100% of those who attend a Girona match wholeheartedly agree with these statements, knowing full well the stakes they face when the weekend arrives and their team takes to the pitch. In 2026, Míchel's team, along with Elche, has decided the most matches, for better or for worse, after the 85th minute. Up to 5 of the 10 matches they've played since the start of the new year—half of them—have tested the hearts of the fans, who are already accustomed to heart-stopping moments in recent seasons. Because nobody ever knows what's going to happen in a Girona match, which can even lead to surreal comebacks or events that would be illogical elsewhere, just when the game seems settled. At Montilivi, no one can take anything for granted before the final whistle, because there are enough historical precedents to remind us of the famous saying, "Don't say wheat until it's in the sack and tightly tied." They know this well in Girona.

At 20 years old, Vitor Reis (São José dos Campos, Brazil, 2006) has already experienced more than most people will in a lifetime. "I signed for Palmeiras when I was 10, at 15 I left my parents' house to live in a residence with some of my teammates, and at 16 I became completely independent and moved into my own apartment." The story continues with his debut in the Brasileirão at 18 and a move to a different continent at 19, after Manchester City noticed him and invested nearly 40 million euros. And there's more: six months ago, just before being loaned to Montilivi, also at 19, he got married. "It's a blessing to have my wife by my side. I'm convinced that if it weren't for her, I wouldn't feel so good in Girona." Recently, the couple added a dog to their family.

Girona were going at full speed, believing themselves all-powerful at halftime, confident of a lead against Celta. It didn't matter that it was their only shot, nor that the Galicians had hit the post twice. The Girona players felt capable of anything, but when the visitors finally broke through, their dream came to an end, and they were brought back down to earth (1-2). That mentality speaks volumes about Girona, of course. And after everything they've had to endure this season, who is anyone to tell them how to feel now that they're doing well?

Barça lost their lead at Montilivi on a disastrous night (2-1), a continuation of the thrashing they suffered in the Copa del Rey against Atlético. Outplayed by a Girona side that never lost faith, they clung to Joan Garcia to hold onto the advantage given to them by Cubarsí's goal. But they hadn't counted on Girona's tenacity, who came back with goals from Lemar and Fran Beltrán, the latter in the dying moments. Girona will not soon forget a day that will go down in history.

Just when they least expected it, Girona escaped defeat with an epic goal from Vitor Reis in stoppage time. Getafe had infuriated the Montilivi crowd, who were angry with the refereeing decisions, their opponents, and the world. Luckily, the center-back appeared, courageously finishing off a ball that extends Girona's unbeaten run into 2026, and Ter Stegen prevented a 1-2 scoreline in the final moments. Relegation remains a distant memory, four points away.

Girona's second consecutive victory ended in a brawl. Lass and Aimar started a fight that drew in substitutes, coaches, and security personnel, even though the incident hadn't been particularly serious: the Girona midfielder tackled the Osasuna player, who lost his temper as he saw the game slipping away. The pitch erupted in pushing, shoving, insults, and cards, including a red for Lass. Míchel's team, however, managed to secure the points (1-0). And this despite the squad not having improved, as all transfer activity is currently at a standstill.

Having spent most of 2025 losing, it's no surprise that Girona ended the year with another defeat. Unfortunately, they've grown accustomed to disappointment at Montilivi. Against Atlético Madrid, they offered virtually no resistance, and the points were already gone before halftime (0-3). They'll have to do much better in 2026, because Míchel's men will be ringing in the New Year in the relegation zone, and they'll need to fine-tune their approach during the winter transfer window, where reinforcements are expected to turn things around.

"I didn't know it was playing at Montilivi," admits Javier Parra (Vitoria, 2000), with astonishment. Or, rather, Vaskan, a DJ and electronic music producer who reworked the Girona anthem to coincide with their second promotion to La Liga in 2022. Vaskan is known for transforming Spanish and international classics into hardstylewhich have amassed over 50 million views worldwide.

What a night Montilivi witnessed, reconciled with the feats of a Girona side that held Mbappé's Real Madrid to a draw with effort, talent, and heart (1-1). Girona spent much of the game ahead thanks to a goal from Ounahi, but saves from Courtois and a mistake by Hugo Rincón, who conceded an avoidable penalty, prevented the three points from staying at home. Girona remains in the relegation zone, but Madrid loses the lead, now held by Barça.

Several events took place in 2005: Hurricane Katrina caused catastrophic damage in the United States; London was attacked with terrorist bombings on the subway and a bus that left 52 dead and more than 600 injured; Pope John Paul II died, with Benedict XVI succeeding him; Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany; YouTube gained worldwide recognition; and same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain.

When he arrived at Girona, his daughter didn't yet have a driver's license because she was underage. Now she's 27. "The evolution of my personal life has gone hand in hand with that of the club, yes. Everything has changed a lot," acknowledges Santi Pou (Vic, 1966), a member of the sporting department, assistant to Quique Cárcel; part of the first team's coaching staff, with Míchel Sánchez; and for a decade, head of methodology for the Girona youth academy. "It's been many hours of hard work, but now we enjoy stability and prosperity. My family has had no choice but to understand, because ten continuous years working at Girona means being with the professionals in the morning and with the kids in the afternoon. But I've done it, and I continue to do it, with passion," he admits.

Girona has had a lucky charm in the stands for both of their La Liga victories this season, both at Montilivi: Elinilma Pereira, the mother of Savinho, the star player of the 2023-24 Girona superstar team that broke all the club's records and is now at Manchester United. "Every time I have the chance to support the team, I do it with great pleasure," she told ARA. Elinilma moves discreetly through the stadium. Accompanied by friends, she makes her way to her seat in the stands. She's wearing a red and white scarf.

It was when they were in dire straits that Girona showed their desire to stay in La Liga, a will that until now had only been glimpsed in dribs and drabs. This is how it goes; we often don't get our act together until necessity demands it. Girona were fighting for their lives, and they defeated Alavés (1-0) to temporarily climb out of the relegation zone. Míchel's men, just as the manager wanted, suffered, fought, and ran together. Perhaps not in that order or in the same amounts, but they did it. Luck also appeared at the ideal moments, contributing to a victory that puts a pause on the debate surrounding the manager's position. For now, Míchel is untouchable.

Girona continues to float the idea of a new stadium, a topic that has been on everyone's lips. Montilivi, owned by the City Council but leased to Girona until 2068, is outdated and limited, and even Míchel Sánchez's team's run in the Champions League failed to prompt any changes. There was even serious consideration given to playing their Champions League matches in Barcelona. The latest information comes from Ignasi Mas-Bagà, the club's CEO, who spoke about it on the podcast. Girona PrideProduced by the club itself, he said that one of the options "is to leave the city. But if this happens, we won't go far."

It was a day marked in red. They couldn't afford to let it slip. And Girona did just that, even though they came close to a magical comeback. Míchel's team wasted almost an hour of play, exploited by a direct rival for survival, Oviedo, to build a lead that seemed definitive. With the score at 2-0, however, a double from Stuani and a superb goal from Ounahi made it 3-2. Just as Montilivi was dancing, in the final play, in the 97th minute, David Carmo equalized. It's the second consecutive matchday in which Girona has dropped points in added time, five in total, following Araujo's goal in last week's Catalan derby.

The City Football Group, Pere Guardiola, and Marcelo Claure, who rule Girona, have changed the club's history. And they've changed it for the better. They've made football a topic of conversation and have demonstrated their seriousness because, in bad times, they not only didn't abandon ship like rats do, but they actually doubled their bets, making capital increases that kept the ball rolling. When you take the full picture, this is an important chapter that can't be ignored, because if Girona returned to the First Division after relegation and won the lottery with the Champions League year, it's thanks to events like those.