BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - A look at Girona, Levante and Getafe as the promoted teams prepare for this weekend’s opening of the Spanish league season.
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GIRONA
The only complete newcomer to Spain’s first division, Girona has a big brother behind it to help it take its first steps.
Manchester City has adopted Girona as one of its feeder clubs to give young players a chance to develop.
And with Girona promoted for the first time in its 87-year history, the English powerhouse has strengthened its relationship by sending more players to the upscale town of nearly 100,000 in northeastern Spain.
Girona’s team spent a week training at City’s installations in Manchester last month, and Pep Guardiola, who is from the same region of Catalonia, will take City to Girona on Tuesday to play a friendly at its Montilivi Stadium.
Spanish and English media have speculated in recent weeks that City is close to buying a large stake in the Catalan club. Nothing official has come of the rumors yet.
City players Marlos Moreno, Douglas Luiz and Aleix Garcia have arrived on loan this summer, joining the club’s signings of striker Christian Stuani (Middlesbrough), goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Bilbao), and Farid Boulaya (Bastia). Marc Muniesa has also joined on loan from Stoke City.
Girona faces a tough debut against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
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LEVANTE
Levante, always in the shadow of city rival Valencia, is back in the first division after a one-year absence.
Levante dominated Spain’s second division last season, winning the title with 14 more points than runner-up Girona.
This season will be just its 12th in the first division, but its quick return after being relegated last summer shows the growth the small club has made over the past decade.
Its best ever campaign came in 2011-2012 when it had a dream season, rising to the top of the table before hanging on for a merit-worthy sixth-place finish.
Levante’s main summer reinforcement is Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Doukoure, who was signed from Metz.
Roger Marti led Levante last season with 22 goals. He will be looking to get some help from new arrivals Alex Alegria, on loan from Real Betis, and Ivan Lopez, who had played for Sevilla’s reserve team.
Levante faces Villarreal on Monday.
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GETAFE
The Spanish capital actually has room for clubs other than European powerhouses Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
One is Getafe, named for the gritty neighborhood it calls home. It is back after one season in the second tier.
Coach Jose Bordalas will make his debut in la Liga after more than 20 years of coaching in Spain’s lower divisions.
Bordalas was very close to coaching in Spain’s top flight one year ago, after he had helped Alaves win promotion. But Alaves opted to change coaches.
Out of a job, Bordalas took over Getafe last September, replacing Juan Esnaider after the team’s poor start.
The 53-year-old Bordalas succeeded in turning Getafe’s season around and steered it back into the top flight via the playoffs.
Getafe has reinforced its squad with Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez, midfielder Markel Bergara, forward Faycal Fajr, and19-year-old Uruguayan defender Mathias Olivera among others.
Getafe visits Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
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