Girona confident on all fronts, says Michel
Girona boss Michel says he is confident his side have what it takes to be a contender for the LaLiga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey titles after a season in which it lit up Spanish football as a surprise package.
Backed by the wealth of its Abu Dhabi-based owner and only four years after being promoted to Spain's first division, Girona went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid in the title race last season, beating rival Barcelona twice before finishing third and qualifying for European football for the first time.
"We have a balanced squad, perfect to go out there and compete in all competitions," Michel said ahead of his side's LaLiga clash at Sevilla.
"We are the team that recovered the most balls in the opposition's half in the first three matches of the season, a step up from last year, when we were sixth from bottom.
"I really don't care about the system we use, I care about our performance on the pitch, the way of doing things. We want numerical superiority with the ball and to regain it as quickly as possible."
Michel praised the club's effort to revamp the squad with new signings in the close season, having lost several of his key players from last year.
Although winger Savinho, striker Artem Dovbyk and versatile midfielder Aleix Garcia have all gone, Michel said he believed the arrivals of the likes of Abel Ruiz, Donny van de Beek, Bryan Gil and Arnaut Danjuma would help his side step up.
Girona will face the likes of Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League this season.
"Everyone is happy at the club because we have taken a step forward. Last year we had players on loan and only Danjuma, Bryan [Gil] and Oriol [Romeu] have come in this situation," Michel said.
"I think we have a good squad for the style of play we want to show, and I think we are versatile enough to have a good year."
Girona is seventh on the LaLiga standings on four points after three games and needs a win at Sevilla to stay in touch with the top three of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.
