Girona head coach Míchel analyzed his team’s draw at Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano, praising the point earned under difficult circumstances.
The Madrid-born manager positively assessed the single point his side secured, especially considering the late equalizer and the team’s recent form—four matches without a win and only one point from the last twelve, which has dragged them closer to the relegation zone.
Míchel acknowledged that the point was hard-fought because Rayo are a strong side that put Girona under pressure for long stretches. He also congratulated Iñigo Pérez on Rayo’s qualification for the Conference League final, noting that the achievement energized both the opposition and the stadium atmosphere.
The Girona boss praised Cristhian Stuani’s competitiveness, revealing that the Uruguayan had to receive an injection in his knee after struggling to train all week due to a knock. Despite that, Stuani scored a header to level the match. Míchel explained why he didn’t start a natural striker, aiming to surprise the opponent by creating superiority through midfield and width on the flanks.
**Feeling:** “Rayo were better in terms of play. There were two clear chances for each side, but they pushed harder and spent more time near our box. Momentum matters—they just made a final, while we came from three defeats. It felt like the game was slipping away, so for me it’s a valuable point. It’s very tough to get anything from this Rayo side.”
**Fear:** “We didn’t feel it. They were riding high after last Thursday, and it’s hard to match that confidence on the pitch. Defending more than the opponent isn’t ideal for us, but today that’s how it went. We need to beat Real Sociedad—it’s a historic match and it’s about Girona’s survival in La Liga.”
**Stuani:** “Two goalscorers came off the bench. In football, 11 players don’t decide everything—everyone must understand that. Stuani couldn’t train due to a knee knock, but he’s a born competitor. He got an injection at halftime and was better. We lack presence in the box without Vanat, Abel, and Stuani himself, but having him for the last three games is key.”
**Pride:** “The Uruguayan is different. I don’t think any player showed a poor attitude—just in performance because Rayo outplayed us mentally and in their current moment. Things didn’t go well, but everyone tried; that’s the way to suffer and get through this.”
**Goal and morale:** “It has to be an injection for the team. Conceding 1-0 was a heavy blow, but it doesn’t change that we have to beat Real Sociedad—the players know it. We’re playing for more than any other team, and that has to show on Thursday.”
**Without a striker:** “We aimed to put four players in central areas and have the wingers counter. It didn’t work in the first half, but those are football situations coaches try to handle as best we can. It was a complicated match.”