Girona manager Michel expressed a mix of emotions following his team’s remarkable season. While celebrating a historic third-place finish and qualification for the Champions League for the first time ever, Michel acknowledged a tinge of sadness as the curtain closed on a campaign unlikely to be replicated soon.
Friday night saw a perfect ending for Girona. A dominant 7-0 victory over Granada sent the jubilant Montilivi crowd into raptures. Finishing the season on 81 points placed them in elite company – a score only achieved by the Spanish giants, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona in the current La Liga format.
Despite the elation, Michel is grounded in reality. He knows Girona, who only arrived in the top flight two years ago, faces a significant challenge to maintain this level.
“There’s a bit of sadness,” confessed Michel to reporters. “It’s the end of something truly special. We accomplished something extraordinary, and every day this season has been incredible.”
He continued with a touch of pragmatism, “The slate is wiped clean now. We begin the fight for another great season, and that’s our focus from tomorrow on. We’re on an upward trajectory, and we need to keep taking those steps forward. It’s time to lay the groundwork, rest, celebrate this phenomenal achievement, and from next week, plan how to take Girona even higher.”
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere of fireworks and concerts, Michel’s mind was already focused on the off-season. He anticipates significant changes with several key players likely to depart the club.
“The reality of football is that things won’t stay the same,” Michel acknowledged. “There will be different players, a different season. The challenge is that we’ll miss many who played such a crucial role.”
