Girona FC manager Míchel Sánchez Muñoz is prioritizing Saturday’s La Liga match against Athletic Club, despite a recent run of three games without a win. The team aims to distance themselves from the relegation zone and build on their earlier successes this season. Míchel emphasized a game-by-game approach, stating, “I take it game by game, and It’s an important match,” adding that securing 42 points remains a key objective for the club’s survival in the league.
The upcoming fixture presents a significant challenge, with Athletic Club demonstrating strong defensive capabilities. Míchel acknowledged the opponent’s strengths, noting they lead the league in pressing and ball recovery, comparable to Barcelona. He stressed the demand for Girona to play with a “good rhythm” and effectively navigate Athletic’s high press with quick, decisive passing.
However, the pre-match press conference similarly revealed uncertainty surrounding the recovery of an unnamed player. Míchel admitted he currently lacks information regarding the player’s condition, stating, “Right now I don’t know how his recovery is going.” He explained that the player is undergoing treatment in Barcelona and, while expressing the player’s desire to return to Girona, he remains “out of our radar” regarding updates on their progress.
Team News: Reis Out, Moreno Returns
Girona will be without Vitor Reis for the match against Athletic Club, but will welcome back Álex Moreno, who has recovered from a previous injury. Míchel described Reis as an important player but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to find a suitable replacement. “Álex Moreno is ready to play, prepared. He has had a good recovery and is well,” Míchel confirmed.
Ounahi Ready to Reintegrate
Another positive development for Girona is the return to fitness of Ounahi. Míchel stated that the player has had a strong week of training and is prepared to feature in the match. “He has done a very good week, he is prepared. I don’t know the percentage of his maximum level, but he is well to play. It’s important,” Míchel said, emphasizing the need to gradually build Ounahi back to his peak form through consistent playing time.
Míchel also addressed the broader challenge of securing La Liga safety, acknowledging the difficulty all teams are facing in earning victories this season. “Everyone is finding it hard to win,” he said. “We have to keep doing things well.”
The coach highlighted Athletic Club’s recent form, praising their pressing intensity and ball recovery rate. “They have a very high defensive situation, the highest with Barça. This means we need to have a very good rhythm of play and be able to overcome their pressure with 2-3 passes. It will be impossible to make many passes, you have to have very good progression and give solutions to the player who has the ball,” he explained.
Girona’s focus remains firmly on securing crucial points in their fight to avoid relegation, with Míchel emphasizing the importance of each match and the need for continued effort from the entire team.
What comes next for Girona is a crucial stretch of games as they navigate the final stages of the La Liga season. The team will need to capitalize on their home advantage and maintain a consistent level of performance to secure their place in the league. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Girona responds to the challenges ahead.
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