Michel encouraged his team to remain positive after their Champions League debut ended in a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite Girona's solid performance throughout most of the match, a last-minute own goal by Paulo Gazzaniga in the 90th minute handed PSG the victory. This own goal was particularly significant as it was the first such decisive error in a Champions League game since November 2022.
Girona's defense had been resilient, successfully containing PSG's potent attack for the majority of the game. Gazzaniga, who had been instrumental in keeping the scoreline level with several crucial saves, was unfortunate to score the own goal in the dying moments. Michel highlighted Gazzaniga's overall contribution and expressed his admiration for the team's efforts.
"The mood in the dressing room is understandably down after such a close match," Michel told reporters. "But I reminded the players that we have a lot to be proud of. We played a strong game against a top team, and Gazzaniga's performance was commendable despite the unfortunate ending." Michel's words underscored his belief in the team's potential and resilience, even in the face of a tough defeat.
