Girona midfielder Bryan Gil insisted his side must improve when scoring the first goal after being beaten 2-1 by Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. 

Gil had opened the scoring at the Estadio de Vallecas when he headed in at the back post following Ivan Martin's searching delivery in the 58th minute. 

But two goals in three minutes from Vallecano substitute Randy Nteka sealed the win for the hosts, who moved up to seventh in the table and two places above Girona. 

It was the second consecutive LaLiga game in which Michel's side have failed to win a game when taking the lead, having gone down 2-1 to Sevilla last weekend. 

The result leaves Girona two points adrift of the European places after winning just two of their last 11 games in all competitions following their stellar season last year. 

Girona have already been knocked out of the Champions League, emerging victorious in just one of their seven games in their first European campaign so far. 

But Gil said that focus must return to their domestic campaign, saying that his team-mates must improve as a collective to reach the European places once again. 

"For the second week in a row we've gone ahead and gave away the three points, we have to be self-critical, we can't allow that to keep happening," Gil told DAZN.

"I think we have been struggling and find it difficult when we're winning because when our rivals go up and start pressing, we're not strong enough," Gil said.

"It starts with us up front. In attack, we should be the first ones to press and put a better effort into helping our team defend the late runs.

"We must stay positive, take the good things from today and the other day and correct our mistakes, because we are a team with a lot of ambition and all the players give their all for this shield. I am convinced that this momentum will change."

Girona boss Michel, however, credited Vallecano for their battling display, suggesting that their opponents deserved all three points.

Vallecano ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.41 from their 17 shots compared to Girona's 1.12 from their 12 efforts at Augusto Batalla's goal. 

"Rayo had a lot of intensity, and it was difficult for us to create our own style of play," Michel told DAZN.

"Perhaps the result is fair because they had more chances and imposed a rhythm that prevented us from controlling the game."