Herrera returns early as Girona look to end winless run

Girona midfielder Yangel Herrera is set for an early comeback following a spell out injured, with Michel’s team desperate to return to winning ways against Real Valladolid.

Venezuela international Herrera was not expected to play before the new year after suffering a muscular injury in November, but his return has given Michel a boost as Girona look to end a six-match winless run in all competitions.

Having finished third in LaLiga last season, Girona are currently languishing in 10th, 10 points clear of Friday’s visitors, 19th-placed Valladolid.

“We have the absences of Oriol (Romeu) and Viktor (Tsyhankov). Yangel will be in the match,” Michel told reporters on Thursday.

“Tomorrow’s game is key because we haven’t won for weeks. At home, with our people, we have to take a step forward to be solid.”

Girona are winless in three games in LaLiga, losing each of their last two against Real Madrid (0-3) and Real Mallorca (1-2). They last lost three in a row in the competition in October 2022.

New week pic.twitter.com/dVolcoJjvj

— Girona FC (@GironaFC_Engl) December 16, 2024

They have also lost 10 of their 21 matches against Real Valladolid in all competitions (seven wins, four draws).

Among current Spanish top-flight teams, only against Real Betis (13), Villarreal (12), Osasuna (11) and Mallorca (11) have they suffered more defeats (also 10 against Alaves and Rayo Vallecano).

“The match the other day left me very worried,” Michel said, reflecting on last week’s defeat to Mallorca.

“We have to work hard to improve. We need to be more aggressive in both areas. The connections between the players are not the best at the moment.

“For me, we have the squad to fight to get into Europe, but right now the team doesn’t give me the feeling that we can do it… I see that we are a long way off.”

Girona have also lost five of their six Champions League matches so far to stand a lowly 30th in the 36-team table, five points off the play-offs with two games left, while they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier Logrones this month.

“The challenge for me at the start of the season was to be in the top 10, which was the most important thing,” Michel said.

“But I’m worried that we have not found consistency. We failed in the Champions League and the Copa.”