Girona boss Michel eyeing European football again after Valladolid win

Girona head coach Michel is eyeing a top seven finish in the LaLiga standings after his side returned to winning ways with victory over Real Valladolid.

Michel’s side had not won any of their last three league matches (D1 L2) going into Friday’s encounter, but they put on an impressive display in their final fixture of 2024.

David Lopez and Abel Ruiz’s first-half strikes were followed up by Arnaut Danjuma’s first goal since August, which secured an emphatic triumph for the Blanquivermells.

And Girona were worthy of their win. They accumulated an expected goals (xG) total of 2.58 from their 23 shots, restricting their opponents to just one shot in the contest.

“I have seen a very good team, especially in things that the team needed, more aggressiveness with and without the ball, the pressure after the loss has been top at all times, we have done very well,” Michel told a press conference.

“(In past games) we dominated the ball, but we were not strong in the box, especially in our own. We were not a team that pressed after losing the ball.

“Today the aggressiveness, the pressure was incredible, for me the best of the season.”

Friday’s win moved Girona up to eighth in the table after 18 games of their season, which has been an indifferent one following their success last term.

Michel’s side were the surprise package in LaLiga last campaign, finishing third to secure Champions League football for the first time in their history.

However, they have lost five of their six matches in the competition, while also being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier Logrones.

Michel reflected on his side’s year, and revealed his goals for 2025 as he eyed another campaign ending with European football for next season.

“My goal is for the team to be in the top seven in the league standings. We will see if we are capable, we rely on our consistency in the game,” Michel said.

“If we look at the first six months of 2024, I was very happy, the team was doing well, it was easy to work in that context. These last few months I haven’t given my best version.

“It’s wrong to be out of the Copa del Rey and far from qualifying for the Champions League next round, I have failed, I have to improve to coach a team like Girona.”