Michel: “I’m very happy with the point,”

Girona manager Michel was candid and reflective after his team held Real Madrid to a 1–1 draw in Montilivi on Saturday night. It was a match that swung dramatically in rhythm: a sharp, controlled first half from Girona followed by a second period spent largely on the back foot as Madrid pushed for a winner.

“We suffered a lot in the second half,” Michel admitted. “We managed it and I’m very happy with the point we got.”

Michel highlighted the intention to exploit space behind Real Madrid’s defense with pace — something his side did repeatedly before halftime.

“I think we had a game plan to create options behind the defense with fast players,” Michel said. “We did that very well in the first half.”

The second half told a different story. Real Madrid adjusted their structure, pushed higher, and forced Girona to defend deeper and more reactively. Girona struggled to retain the ball or control transitions, leading to long stretches of pressure.

“In the second half, they changed their tactics, and we didn’t win much from those second balls,” Michel explained. “We suffered, but we managed the situation.”

Michel on the Penalty and Rodrygo Incident

“I haven’t seen either of the plays, the penalty and the Rodrygo one,” he said. “I think there was contact in the second one, but it wasn’t enough. If VAR had intervened on that slight contact… but I think they correctly interpreted it as a light touch. It was minimal contact.”

As for the penalty that put Real Madrid level, Michel conceded there was some justification.

“In the first one, Hugo stepped on him a little, but I think with Vinicius’ run, it was fair.”