Míchel: Girona “have analysed the best way to win” but “will suffer” against Barça | OneFootball

Barcelona will prove to be a “complicated” test for Girona when they meet on Monday, admitted Míchel in his pre-match press conference.

Girona sit two points above the relegation zone ahead of a tantalising Catalan derby, in which Barcelona will be just as desperate to pick up three points after suffering a midweek thrashing in the Copa del Rey and conceding pole position in the LaLiga title fight to Real Madrid.

Míchel doesn’t believe that his side should prepare any differently to face a wounded Barça, insisting that “the big teams play every match with the intention and confidence that they must win, otherwise it becomes a tough week for them.

“The pressure and expectations are always there, not just because they’re coming off a defeat.”

Real Madrid piled that pressure on by claiming an emphatic 4-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Sociedad on Saturday, moving two points clear of the blaugrana.

Only a win would see Barça restore their lead in the standings, and Míchel revealed: “I expect the best Barça, as always. They’re a great team, and it’ll be difficult to get a good result against them.

“What I like about [Hansi] Flick’s Barça is that they always play the same way. They have many good qualities and are difficult to counter [because of] their pressing [and] the high defensive line which gives them many advantages despite the risk.

“Before the [Barcelona v] Atlético match, we had already looked at Barça and analysed how to counter their style of play. I have it in my head, but it will be difficult to execute on the pitch.

“You have to be clear about where and how to press, and be good with and without the ball to avoid transitions,” the 50-year-old explained.

The Girona boss views the Catalan derby as “a special match” and an opportunity for the blanquivermelles to build momentum as they look to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

He said: “Normally they win, since they win 90% of their matches, but I am optimistic and have analysed the best way to win: being ourselves, and aware that it’ll be very complicated because of the opponent’s quality.

“With the suffering we will face on the pitch, the crowd must give us an extra push.”

Girona v Barcelona gets underway at 20:00 UK on Monday 16 February at the Estadi Montilivi.