3/1 To Win
Girona are a Spanish Segunda División side who were relegated from La Liga last season.
They spent two seasons in the division, however, their time in Spain’s top-flight came to an end as they were relegated alongside Rayo Vallecano and Huesca.
City Football Group, a holding company that administers association football clubs under the ownership of Abu Dhabi United Group, owns 44.3% of Girona, who were formed in 1930.
They will be the first Spanish side to visit Pride Park Stadium, on Thursday 25th July (7:45pm kick-off), since Derby took on Villarreal CF in a friendly fixture in the summer of 2015.
Manager – Juan Carlos Unzué
Following their relegation from La Liga, Girona dispensed with the services of their Head Coach Eusebio Sacristán at the end of the 2018/19 season.
They appointed new boss Juan Carlos Unzué on Thursday and he is tasked with leading Girona back to Spain’s top league.
The 52-year-old enjoyed an illustrious playing career, making over 220 appearances for Sevilla as well as having spells at Barcelona, Osasuna and Tenerife.
A goalkeeper by trade, he played for every Spanish youth team, however, did not make a competitive appearance for the national squad.
Unzué made the move into management in 2010 as he was handed the reigns at Numancia. After a season, he left the club and was later appointed the manager of Racing Santander.
He went on to become Assistant Manager of Celta Vigo, who were managed by current Spanish National Team manager Luis Enrique.
Enrique would take Unzué to Barcelona in 2014 where he would spend another three years. He worked with he likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar before delving back into management with his former club Celta Vigo, where he spent one season, before joining Girona in June 2019.
Key Man – Cristhian Stuani
Whilst the majority of Girona’s squad will be unfamiliar to supporters, one man who they may recognise is striker Cristhian Stuani.
The striker was with Middlesbrough between 2015-17 where he netted 11 goals in over 50 appearances.
He joined Girona at the start of their inaugural La Liga campaign in 2017 and proved to be a key man as he helped them to a top ten finish.
He scored 21 goals in 33 appearances in his first season, which included a brace against Real Madrid as they impressed in their debut campaign in the top flight of Spanish football.
However, Girona struggled in their second season and were relegated, however, it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
Last season he scored 20 goals and was one of the top scorers in La Liga but his Girona side were eventually unable to avoid the drop.
