"We must win at least two more games" - Michel on Girona's first ever UCL win

Girona coach Michel Sanchez said he was "very proud" of his players after Tuesday's victory over Slovan Bratislava and claimed that it was "great" to be able to "enjoy" players who have a "beastly" commitment to the team and who believe in his philosophy "to the death". Michel assured that it is "a historic day" as it is the club's first Champions League triumph and "a date that will be remembered for a long time".

The coach highlighted the "incredible " game of Miguel Gutierrez and Arnau Martinez, who, for "many moments", supported the team, and praised the development of some new signings: Arnaut Danjuma, Ladislav Krejci, who played a "very good, spectacular" game, Alejandro Francés, Bojan Miovski and Donny van de Beek, who was forced off the pitch like Ivan Martin.

He revealed that Ivan Martin felt ‘something’ in a sprint and the feeling is that he will be out for "one, two or three" weeks and that he could bring back Daley Blind or Abel Ruiz for the weekend's game at home to Las Palmas, but that he does not want to "force" any player. "Stuani really wanted to score in the Champions League because that's what he's missing. It was the icing on the cake. He deserves it, but I'm sure he will score a goal in the Champions League," he said of the penalty missed by the captain.

On the situation in the Champions League, Michel acknowledged that the team is in a position to "keep fighting" to get out of the league phase and that, to achieve this, they will have to "win at least two more games", although he insisted that the focus should immediately be on the "extremely important" game against Las Palmas.

 

October 22, 2024