FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - SK Sturm Graz v Girona - Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria - November 27, 2024 Girona coach Michel before the match REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic/File Photo
(Reuters) - Girona manager Michel has urged his side to prove themselves against one of the world's best teams when they host Real Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday as they look to rebound from recent setbacks.
Girona, who finished third in LaLiga last season, currently sit in eighth place and are on a three-game winless streak across all competitions, with Michel pointing to their struggling attack.
"We are a better team in defence than last year. However, we need to improve in attack, to finish plays," Michel told reporters.
"When you go down you have to get up as soon as possible and that day is tomorrow."
Despite Real's recent slump in form, including a defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, their fourth loss in the last seven games across all competitions, Michel was in little doubt about the quality of Saturday's opponents.
"Tomorrow I expect what it is, the Champions League and LaLiga winners. A great team with great players," he added.
"We are playing against one of the best teams in the world and we have to play a perfect game.
"There is no need to motivate the players for a game against Real Madrid."
Girona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on penalties by fourth-tier Logrones on Wednesday, with Michel calling it a momentary lapse in focus.
"In the elimination in Logrono we didn't play our best but we didn't fail in terms of attitude," Michel said, before adding: "Our players have always given one hundred percent."
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis)
