Girona Football Club plunged to another defeat, this time against Mallorca, suffering a 2-1 setback at Son Moix on December 14, 2024. The result extends Girona's winless streak to six matches across all competitions, leaving head coach Míchel expressing significant concern about his team's recent performances.
The match began brightly for Girona, with Donny van de Beek scoring a superb volley just six minutes after kickoff. An early goal fueled hopes for the Catalan side; unfortunately, this quickly turned to despair as Cyle Larin of Mallorca struck back soon after, bringing the teams level with his first goal of the match.
Things took a turn for the worse for Girona around the 30-minute mark when Vedat Muriqi received his marching orders after committing serious foul on Bryan Gil. With Mallorca reduced to ten men, one might expect Girona to seize the advantage. Instead, they faltered under pressure, failing to convert their numerical superiority.
Larin seized the moment to net his second goal just six minutes after halftime, which proved decisive as Girona struggled to create significant threats against the ten-men of Mallorca.
Míchel's reaction was one of disappointment as he detailed his worries, stating, "The lack of intensity is always what worries me the most." He criticized his players for their approach: lack of verticality and urgency, particularly when they had the upper hand on the pitch. Girona managed just one shot on target out of 13 attempts, showcasing their inefficiency.
Speaking on their struggles, Míchel continued, "We weren't able to attack well against 10 players. We made a mistake, and they made it 2-1. We resorted more to hurrying than to football to turn it around." His frustration was palpable as he acknowledged the need for improvement.
"I understand my players want to do well, but we did poorly," he reiterated, emphasizing the team’s need to play collectively rather than engaging in isolated actions. He noted, "We have to improve and make the players attack and defend together, not individually."
The match, which at times felt more about missed opportunities than clear tactical direction, left Girona fans worried about the remainder of the season. Having once aimed for European qualifications, the team's prospects now seem murky after this disappointing run, and Míchel’s words cannot be seen as anything but ominous.
Girona’s next outing is against Real Valladolid, currently positioned at the bottom of the standings, and offers them perhaps the last chance to regain winning momentum before the holiday break.
Despite the gloom surrounding the team's performance, Míchel retains hope: "We do have the squad to fight for Europe. But lately, I haven't found the key to make the team play well and fight for this. I am responsible for improving our game, and I must find the right approach leading forward."
With the holiday season approaching, the clock is ticking for Girona to find their form. Fans will be watching closely to see if Míchel can steer the squad back on course to bring some holiday cheer to Montilivi.
