Girona fire: Michel attacks the players and the club

GironaIn September 2023, Girona touched the sky in Vila-real. Two goals from Dovbyk and Eric Garcia gave them their first-ever lead in the First Division. Míchel Sánchez was floating, the team was enjoying themselves, and the club appeared in every corner of the planet, marveling at the play of a team that the Madrid native had rescued from the Second Division to lead them to the Champions League. Almost two years later, the same scene was played. witness to a fall that will have consequences. The Girona side, with their team completely destroyed, their stars transferred, and their new arrivals failing to adapt, failed to compete (5-0) and are currently at the bottom of the league. "This is my worst moment as Girona's manager," said Míchel, who, after a few weeks of being unrecognizable in his statements, abandoned his sideline behavior, grabbed his machine gun, and started firing at the players and the club.

"I'm very disappointed. Right now, we're not a team. I feel powerless; the feeling is that we're a dead team. I haven't felt represented by the players," said the Atlético manager, whose first barb was aimed at those in charge at the club. "I believe in projects, and every season is one of them. But this year's project hasn't even started for some yet. I don't know if the club thinks the first nine points aren't important, but for me they are," he added. These words take on meaning given Girona's salary cap issues, which force them to consider any interesting offer that may come to Montilivi, no matter the player.

This, of course, means that few key players have their wits about them, more focused on listening to offers in case they can leave than on competing. "It's everyone's responsibility, including the club's. If you give the opportunity to talk and open doors, and not just with one or two players, but with six or seven, you can't focus. We're not taking responsibility for the competition. My coaching staff and I are working for the points at stake, but I don't know if everyone is clear about that."

Players with their heads elsewhere

Of Villarreal's starters, practically half the squad was distracted: Ladislav Krejci has an agreement to move to Wolverhampton, England, for 30 million euros; Yangel Herrera is aware of Real Sociedad's interest and sees a move elsewhere as a good option; Daley Blind is tempted to try another destination; Jhon Solís is a clear candidate to pack his bags, and Tsygankov has been offered a move to other countries. But it doesn't end there, because Arnau Martínez and Alejandro Francés, who didn't play in the match, have strong interests, and Miovski didn't even travel, so let's see if he can find a club to join. This is the situation, at the end of August and after two matchdays, that Míchel must live with.

"We should have formed the team a long time ago, and not now. We suffer too many comings and goings, and we are not focused on the competition. When this happens after a defeat, the boss tells you that you do not want to be here, that you are unnecessary... Because there is so much noise and instability that we lack the most equipment"It's very hard, but it can be fixed. When the transfer window is over, we'll look each other in the eye and say, 'This is who we are.' And from there, we'll build. We're a little late, but it's what we have to do," summed up the most critical Míchel of his five years in Girona. Meanwhile, neither the owners, nor the president, nor the sporting director offer any explanation for what's happening.

"Whoever doesn't want to be here, let them leave."

Some players are also affected by the disaster, and David López, who apologized for the image, echoed Míchel's remarks. "It's very difficult to explain all of this. But if you don't start from the desire and the will... It's unacceptable from a professional point of view." The Catalan center-back was also emphatic. "We can't be so apathetic; it seemed like every move didn't matter to us. The transfer market is looming over the locker room: whoever wants to stay here has to take a step forward; whoever doesn't, can leave."

The final days of the transfer market are expected to be very busy, as the inevitable departures will be accompanied by several arrivals. A midfielder and a forward are expected to arrive at Montilivi, and the number will increase depending on the situation with the absences. All this is to put out Girona's first fire of the year.