Míchel Praises Team’s Performance and Mentality Shift in Girona Victory

Míchel praised the attitude of his players, particularly noting the first half as the best of the season. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s change in mentality, showcasing increased aggression both with and without the ball.

The Girona coach acknowledged the effectiveness of their pressing after losing possession, the intensity displayed, and how well the team moved collectively. However, he also pointed out a regression in the second half when the team became less aggressive, which created uncertainty among the players.

Míchel specifically commended Tsygankov, the goal scorer, as a key player, especially in attack. Beyond the goal, he was pleased with Tsygankov’s overall performance, highlighting his intensity, speed, and involvement in the game.

In his remarks, Míchel stated, “When we are aggressive with the ball, we are aggressive without it. When we take a step back, we become less effective with the ball. We accomplished our best first half of the season, but stepping back leads to our struggles.”

He noted the superiority of his team in pressing and ball management, although he acknowledged the need for more consistency to escape the lower end of the table. “We will face challenges in moving up, but we are on the right path,” he added.

Reflecting on the team’s morale, Míchel mentioned, “We were happy in the locker room, which is essential for climbing out of the bottom positions. There has been a shift in mentality, with a clear desire to win and the urgency to secure three points. I sensed this from the fans as well. Although it was the lowest attendance of the year, the support was outstanding.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus during the game, stating, “When fans applaud or chant, it indicates that the focus should be on the field, and we need to concentrate.”

Discussing the pressing strategy, Míchel remarked, “The more aggressive we were, the more we thrived. There will be matches where the opponent will excel, but we must stick to our style. Previous data showed that we were not effective without the ball in terms of pressing, which I did not like. We possess the capability to play this way and maintain that intensity.”

Míchel expressed his hopes for the team, saying, “The players demonstrated their ability to play well and intensely in the first half. Blind mentioned that passing lanes were open and everyone was moving. We cannot afford to lose that intensity, as it disrupts our pressing.”

Regarding Tsygankov, he shared, “He needed not just the goal but also to feel the positive sensations on the field. His ability to run into space, deliver crosses, and maintain intensity enhances our game. The same applies to Bryan Gil. I owe an apology to Portu, Lemar, and Asprilla as I required players to maintain possession; however, the best versions of many will allow us to grow.”

Míchel acknowledged the supporters present at the match, stating, “Those who attended understood the necessity of winning. They brought immense energy, particularly when the opponent gained momentum. I’ve been informed it was the worst attendance, but I am proud of those who showed up.”

On the prospect of moving out of the relegation zone, he noted, “Staying out of the bottom would give us a chance to breathe. My sole desire is for my team to win, and through that, we will improve our situation. We will see where we end up before the upcoming break, but the two weeks of training post-victory will benefit us.”

Addressing the team’s mindset, Míchel remarked, “I wanted to implement changes, but the starting eleven saw only one adjustment. My main goal was to ensure we were intense with and without the ball. We will need the performance level we exhibited in the first half, and we can achieve that by playing aggressively, as it will help us move forward in our pressing game.”

Finally, regarding the upcoming break, he reflected, “We anticipated this break regardless. I am not looking beyond this. I believe the victory will instill confidence during our two weeks of training. I observed the team performing well with the ball and showing aggression, which was evident even in our previous game against Oviedo where we were trailing. This time, we started strong, which gives me confidence.”