Low-budget clubs shake up Europe’s top football leagues

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Three modestly budgeted football clubs have shaken up Europe’s top-tier leagues and their fans now dare to dream of top-division titles.

In the German Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen have maintained their position as league leaders with 11 wins and one draw after 12 weeks while Girona in La Liga and Nice in Ligue 1 remain on course in the race for the top spot.

- Dream of first-ever Bundesliga title

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso’s men gave hope to their fans, intending to crown their steady progress since last season with their first championship in the German top-tier league’s history.

Collecting 34 points, Bayer Leverkusen finished sixth in the Bundesliga standings last season but are currently two points ahead of second-place Bayern Munich after 12 matches and have an unbeaten run of 18 matches across three competitions (UEFA Europe League, Bundesliga and German Cup).

The German club has continued its successful performance in the Europe League, winning all four matches against Qarabag, Molde and Hacken and guaranteed the next stage.

Nigerian star Victor Boniface has been outstanding for Bayer Leverkusen so far this season, netting a total of 11 goals in 17 appearances.

He is followed by Alejandro Grimaldo with nine goals, Jonas Hofmann with seven goals and Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz with six goals each.

- Girona second behind Real Madrid on goal difference

Girona, who finished in 10th place last season, has been the biggest surprise in the 2023/24 season.

According to the German football data website Transfermarkt, the value of Los Blanquivermells (White and Reds) is €161 million ($175 million). Real Madrid is valued at $1.12 billion, while Barcelona is valued at $939 million.

Having scored 32 goals this season, Girona are currently the highest-scoring La Liga team.

In 2017, the City Football Group led by Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour acquired a 44% stake in Girona and the company went into planned restructuring from this period onwards.

Girona strengthened their squad with Yan Couto on loan and Yangel Herrera on a permanent contract from Manchester City.

- Nice follows Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1

Undefeated Nice are in second spot, one point behind Paris Saint-Germain, with eight victories and five draws in Ligue 1 after 13 weeks.

Collecting 29 points, the team will try to end their championship drought, which it last experienced 64 years ago.

Nice, who have four French top-tier titles (1950-51, 1951-52, 1955-56 and 1958-59) conceded four goals in 13 league matches and have the best defense and conceded the least amount of goals among Europe's top five leagues.

Under the helm of Francesco Farioli, the Nice squad is currently valued at €267 million.