Throughout his six years in management, Michel has overseen the fortunes of three clubs in the second division, leading each to promotion on three occasions while also facing dismissal twice. Despite his long tenure of 17 seasons as a player for Rayo Vallecano, this did not prevent his firing after managing only 23 points from 28 matches in La Liga in 2019. Two years afterward, Michel’s tenure at Huesca ended in dismissal following a 2-0 defeat to Real Betis, marking yet another abrupt conclusion to his coaching stint at the top level.
Hence, when Vinicius Junior’s goal resulted in Michel’s Girona enduring a seventh consecutive match without a victory in October 2022, just 12 games into the season, the 48-year-old likely experienced a familiar foreboding. However, Girona broke the pattern by retaining Michel through this challenging period, and now, with the prospect of European football on the horizon, they’ve since moved from strength to strength.
The 2023-24 season has been particularly memorable for Girona, featuring their first victory against Barcelona and a dramatic, last-minute win over Atletico Madrid, contributing to an unlikely push for the La Liga championship; a season as storied as it is unexpectedly successful. Having navigated through various trials and firings, Michel has seized his opportunities as a manager.
Michel’s vibrant presence, marked by his animated demeanor along the touchline and fervent coaching style reminiscent of Pep Guardiola, has significantly influenced Girona’s exceptional season.
His tactical method focuses on disrupting the opposition’s formation and maintaining control through continuous adjustments in team formation and build-up play, luring opponents out of their defensive arrangements. Since earning promotion two seasons prior, Girona ranks just behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in terms of passes completed in their own half, and their average possession duration of 28.1 seconds this season is surpassed only by the league’s leading two teams. In essence, Girona exhibits the poise and inventiveness typically associated with top-tier teams; controlling gameplay, seamlessly shifting possession, and leveraging the skills of their talented players to exploit spaces behind opposing midfield lines and create numerical advantages in key areas.
This strategic patience is illustrated by their approach to ball movement, as demonstrated by their team having the slowest direct speed in the league, indicating a willingness to wait for openings in play. A prime example of their strategic gameplay occurred during Michel’s poignant visit to Vallecas in November when a victory was essential to reclaim their five-point lead atop the league table. Girona’s match began unfavourably, conceding within the first five minutes due to a series of deflections and visibly struggling against the home team’s aggressive pressing. Shortly after conceding, Girona nearly allowed a second goal when Eric Garcia lost possession. Both Daley Blind and Miguel Gutierrez, playing as the left-side centre-back and wing-back respectively, had moved up, increasing the pressure on their team.
Despite these initial difficulties, Girona persisted with their aggressive build-up play, drawing the opponent’s pressure but still managing to push players forward. Their steadfastness was rewarded when they generated a significant scoring opportunity within the first 14 minutes. By distributing the ball among their defenders, Girona adopted a 3-2-5 formation, with Gutierrez, alongside Artem Dovbyk and Savio, advancing to stretch Rayo’s defensive line. Ivan Martin made a move to receive the pass, pulling his marker away and creating space for Viktor Tsygankov to move into. Tsygankov, known for his agility and tactical intelligence in confined spaces, effortlessly collected the pass while drawing pressure from three Rayo players before returning the ball to Martin. This maneuver drew Alfonso Espino, the left-back, out of position, leaving Girona’s Yangel Herrera unmarked on the right. Herrera, taking his time to deliver a precise cross, found Savio on the far side, with Gutierrez’s position causing the defence to shift focus from the adept Brazilian winger. Savio set up the ball in the area, Gutierrez redirected it, and Dovbyk’s inventive back-heel was cleared from the line, illustrating how dynamic formations and bold positioning can dismantle an opponent’s defensive coherence play by play.
Michel emphasises personal belief and technical proficiency when facing assertive defensive tactics. His heartfelt speech during a match against Sevilla, captured by La Liga TV cameras, underscores this mindset: “You have to keep the ball at your feet for longer,” he stated. “It might be difficult under high pressure, but you have to keep hold of it and show character. You have to hold onto it, boys. Two touches, minimum. Feint to go one way, then the other. Hide the ball, play like you’re playing on the streets.”
This ethos of continuous movement and courage in possession frequently leads to success, as evidenced in their encounter with Rayo, where Michel’s team amassed an impressive 4.5 expected goals (xG) in a remarkable turnaround victory.
Girona’s knack for dissecting opposition defences is built on sharp, forward passes from the back, a technique Michel emphatically advocates, especially for his wide centre-backs. The 3-2-5 formation, central to Michel’s strategy for initiating plays, demands Garcia and Blind to advance and distribute balls into the midfield, a tactic that has placed both among the league’s leaders in progressive passes
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In scenarios where Girona dominates possession, their tactical setup becomes even more bold. Against Mallorca, for instance, with David Lopez providing stability as a defensive linchpin, Blind ventures into midfield to connect with Savio on the flank, while Garcia ensures fluidity with his diverse passing range. This leads to an almost 2-3-5 attacking configuration, with eight players converging in midfield to breach the opposition’s defence.
Although Girona’s journey has seen its fair share of challenges, Michel’s adaptive squad consistently troubles rivals. Even recent setbacks, which hinted at the improbability of their title aspirations, continue to feature sharp gameplay and new tactical variations. With European competition nearly within grasp for the upcoming season, the anticipation for Michel’s next tactical innovations is palpable, as La Liga eagerly awaits the continuation of Girona’s remarkable evolution.
You have to hold onto it, boys. Two touches, minimum. Feint to go one way, then the other. Hide the ball, play like you’re playing on the streets
— Michel
