Girona manager Michel praises team's resilience after salvaging draw against Villarreal

Girona may not have been entirely deserving of securing a crucial point in LaLiga after trailing 2-0 against Villarreal on Sunday; however, the team's resilience in achieving a hard-fought 2-2 draw was commendable, according to coach Michel.

Villarreal appeared poised to claim all three points and close the gap on league leaders Barcelona, but a remarkable volley from Ladislav Krejci in the dying moments of the match salvaged a draw for Girona at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

"At 2-0, it was exceedingly challenging to equalize. I cannot say if it was deserved, but I believe it was an impressive performance from both sides," a relieved Michel remarked.

"(Villarreal coach) Marcelino effectively managed the tactical elements and ensured that a few precise touches allowed the opponent to exploit us during transitions.

"I certainly anticipated a loss when we were down 2-0. They possess significant quality, and I thought it would be difficult to secure a positive outcome. However, at 2-0, the team persevered, scored to make it 2-1, and then re-entered the match."

This result elevated Girona to seventh place in the standings, yet they face challenges in their pursuit of a top-four finish, with Villarreal currently in fourth, four points ahead and holding a game in hand.

Michel acknowledged that reaching fourth place will be a formidable task, particularly given Girona's commitments in the Champions League, where they currently sit at 30th after five matches and are not yet in contention for the knockout stage.

"It will be a complex situation. Villarreal has discovered the key to success, and with three competitions, I am uncertain if we can attain that level," Michel stated.

"While the draw keeps them within reach, they still have a game in hand."

This season, Girona has been plagued by numerous injuries, and there were concerns when Krejci and Miguel Gutierrez were seen limping post-match. However, Michel reassured that they had only sustained "bumps and bruises" and would recover without issue.

SportsLigue