We here at Defector have made our affection for Girona well-known. Even with the City Football Group ownership angle, it’s hard to deny that Girona breaking into the top three of La Liga last season was very cool.

The first buses left town late on Tuesday, for some 12 hours on the road, skirting the Pyrenees and up through France. Other supporters of Girona have arrived in Paris by train and by air. For most, it is the away trip of lifetime.

Three years ago today, Girona were preparing for what was already a key game of the season — even at the early stage. Michel was two months into his job as manager and his new side had suffered three consecutive defeats against Ponferradina,