Michel has urged Girona to be more aggressive and beat Liverpool when the two teams meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Girona, who finished third in LaLiga last season, are on a four-match winless streak in all competitions and are currently 30th in the Champions League, three points off a play-off place after five games.
They have won just once in Europe so far, unlike Tuesday's in-form opponents Liverpool, who have a perfect record in the competition and currently sit at the top of the table.
Girona has never played an English side before, but Spanish teams are winless in their last seven games against such opponents in the Champions League (D3 L4), since Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Chelsea in April 2023.
“We want to see an aggressive Girona, with and without the ball,” Michel told reporters. “They dominate the game. I prefer to have the mentality of winning the ball back as quickly as possible. We have to look ahead, with and without the ball.
“It is possible that we defend spaces from time to time, but the mentality must be very aggressive. The crowd must scream for a historic moment, for the fans to lead us to an incredible day and not to let the players get hit. ” tired of running.”
Liverpool are the only team with a 100% record in the Champions League this season, winning all five of their games so far. In fact, the Reds have won each of their last ten games in the group/league stages of the competition, scoring 28 goals and conceding just three.
You can prepare for some magical magic! #GIRLIV #UCL pic.twitter.com/o5SpIm8nsD
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) December 9, 2024
Michel said he was fully aware of the magnitude of the task facing Girona.
“They dominate all concepts of the game. Their game is very dynamic, they change their structure at every moment and they have players with the highest intensity and pressure,” he added.
“If you are behind them, they are able to win duels. If they are in a low block, they are able to defend the area because they are strong in the air.
“We will have to run more than ever. But of course it is possible. They dominate everything and that is why we have to think about ourselves, be ourselves and give the best version of ourselves.”
Michel, who played for Rayo Vallecano, came close to Liverpool as the two teams both qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2001.
The 49-year-old said it had always been his dream to play at Anfield, adding: “It means a lot to me.
“At Rayo I always sang 'next year Rayo-Liverpool' and it was a dream. After qualifying for the Champions League I wanted them as an opponent. Playing at Anfield or here is the same. It's a dream for everyone.”
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