The relationship between Manchester City and Girona began two years ago. Pep Guardiola's brother Pere acted as middleman so that the investment group in possession of City could also take control over the Catalan club.
The objective of this association is for talented youngsters with little or no prospects of playing at the Etihad to get some game time at the highest level, something pretty much guaranteed at Girona.
Marlos, Douglas Luiz, Aleix, Kayode and Maffeo all arrived at the Montilivi stadium thanks to said agreement. The latter two featured for the Catalans as they overcame Real Madrid, with Maffeo playing a pivotal role in clinching all three points.
"Guardiola said that experiments cannot be made with Girona. City help us with talented footballers and we help them to grow," Girona boss Pablo Machin told 'El Pais' this weekend.
The connection between both clubs is permanent. Guardiola greeted the players in the summer and both teams played a friendly. Thanks to Girona's latest win, Barcelona have achieved something unthinkable in August: an eight-point gap with Real Madrid.