Michel backtracks on Lass comments: 'I wasn't completely right'
Girona boss Michel has clarified his post-match comments about Lass Diarra's red card incident ahead of the Catalan derby against Espanyol.
Girona manager Michel has walked back his heated post-match comments about Lass’s red card incident with Aimar Oroz, admitting he spoke too soon before properly reviewing the footage.
Clarification on Lass incident
The Girona boss kicked off his pre-Espanyol press conference by addressing the controversial moment from their previous match: “After the press conference I saw the play properly and it’s an action where both players are fighting for their teams. I wasn’t completely right in my statements, but I’m sure it will serve as a learning experience for Lass.”
Despite the sending off, Michel praised Lass’s overall contribution, noting the player responded well when the team was under pressure.
Injury woes continue
The treatment room at Montilivi remains busy ahead of the Catalan derby:
- Long-term absentees Portu and Van de Beek remain sidelined
- Abel Ruiz and Witsel are close to returning but still doubtful
- Ounahi is injured and currently in Morocco
- Lass is suspended following his red card
- Solís has been granted permission to complete his move to Birmingham
Michel also addressed social media speculation about Ounahi’s recovery: “We have all the information from Morocco’s medical team. He’s in a recovery process, and on social media, as you know, there’s a lot of fake news.”
Echeverri registration pending
The gaffer expressed frustration that promising Argentine talent Echeverri hasn’t been registered yet due to bureaucratic delays with Solís’s exit to Birmingham. However, he remains “optimistic” the paperwork will be sorted soon.
Espanyol respect
Michel was full of praise for opposite number Manolo González: “Manolo is doing spectacular work. They’re experiencing what we went through, being in the upper part of the table, finding the right formula, reaching the opponent’s goal quickly, being aggressive in the final third…”
Despite being a derby, Michel downplayed any extra tension: “It’s a special match and we all know it, but nothing more. They’re three important points for them and for us.”
Team spirit through tough times
Girona’s back-to-back victories have lifted them to 21 points, creating a four-point buffer from the relegation zone. Michel credited the club’s sporting culture for maintaining morale during difficult periods.
“Sporting culture is part of the club’s project. I’m clear about what I think about football, about the culture I want for my players – that they take care of themselves, that they know where we come from, that they have values… That’s why in bad moments each player hasn’t looked for their own benefit, but the opposite.”