Champions League debutants Girona taking it one game at a time after double injury blow
Girona have been hit by injury blows to Oriol Romeu and Daley Blind ahead of their Champions League home clash against Dutch side Feyenoord, but manager Michel insisted on Tuesday that his side will go all out to win on a special night for the club.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Girona's 1-1 LaLiga draw at Celta Vigo on Sunday, with Spanish midfielder Romeu now facing approximately eight weeks on the sidelines while Dutch defender Blind is out for four weeks.
Having never qualified for Europe's elite club competition in their 94-year history, Girona secured a place in the Champions League by finishing third in LaLiga last season, just four years after being promoted to the Spanish top flight.
"It's our new reality. We need to take it one game at a time," Michel told reporters ahead of Wednesday's game at the Estadi Montilivi.
"The midfield without Romeu is short-handed. But tomorrow, we need the best possible eleven to win. We have to look at it like that.
"I'm especially worried about the psychological issue. Romeu didn't play against Rayo Vallecano and got injured. The most important thing is that the head is fine. My concern is to go game by game and the team that plays will be the best possible."
After going toe-to-toe with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for much of the last campaign, Girona are now being tested by the best sides in Europe and Michel acknowledged that it is a challenge to juggle domestic and continental duties.
Girona have had an underwhelming start to the LaLiga season, winning two and drawing three of their eight matches to sit 12th with nine points. They lost their Champions League opener at Paris St Germain 1-0 last month.
"The pressure of playing LaLiga and Champions