Michel: 'We still have edge over our rivals, we must maximise it to stay in La Liga'
Girona suffered a disheartening defeat to Real Betis at home in Matchday 32 of La Liga, prompting an impassioned response from head coach Michel. "The reality is, in the first half, we hit rock bottom emotionally," he admitted. "At half-time, I told the players we must survive from this moment, and to do that, we need to pull ourselves together."
Despite a spirited second-half effort, Michel acknowledged the team’s precarious position. "It’s tough when you’re suffering, but we can’t give up. We’re in a delicate situation with six games left, but we still have an edge over our rivals. We must maximise it to stay in La Liga."
Reflecting on a challenging season, Michel noted, "We’re nine games without a win, so conceding early was a heavy blow. The second goal came from our own mistake, making the first half excruciating." He empathised with fans, urging unity: "It’s hard for supporters to understand from the outside, but we must show them we’ll endure this together. No one’s abandoning ship - we’re capable of rowing as one."
Michel attributed struggles to a disrupted pre-season, with 12 new summer signings and injuries complicating matters. "Building a new squad for three competitions, with half the team absent in pre-season, was tough. It’s not just a football issue; it’s mental." Yet, he remained resolute: "I’m convinced we’re a team that can play well and win. I must lift the players’ spirits. We need to believe we can hold firm."
