Míchel can’t really reproach his players for anything – they showed aggressiveness when attacking, looked for the rival area, and pushed Getafe back. That’s definitely a positive, considering how the game played out. Despite suffering two losses in a row, Míchel seems pretty calm, and it’s largely because he saw his team playing with some of the clearest ideas they’ve had all season.
He thinks the key is managing the details of the game to avoid those costly errors that have led to these defeats. It’s tough, he admits, to manage and control ball loss in their area, but that’s what they need to work on. It’s not like they haven’t had chances – they’ve generated a lot, actually – but sometimes those moments of loss just seem to condemn them.
Managing Emotions
Míchel’s not feeling frustrated, surprisingly. He thinks the team dominated well and was in the rival field a lot, which is an improvement. Of course, the fact that they went ahead and then lost still stings, but he’s trying to focus on the positives. The team’s been aggressive with the ball and has gone forward, which is what he wants to see. Now, it’s just a matter of being more mindful of those moments where they might lose the ball.
As he put it, “It is difficult to manage and control ball loss in our area.” But that’s what they need to work on. He’s seen some good things, though – like how they made Getafe go back and have not given them any real occasions. So, there’s that to build on.
Evaluating Progress
Míchel’s not one to get too down on his team, even after a tough loss. Against Athletic, he was a bit concerned, but today he feels like they knew what they were playing for. He’s seen mobility and aggressiveness to attack, which is what he wants. The defeats still hurt, of course, but he’s trying not to let them affect the team’s overall mentality.
As he said, “Against Athletic I was touched, but today I have the feeling that we knew what we played.” That’s progress, in his book. And hey, the Getafe’s not an easy team to play – they managed to remake themselves after the 1-1 tie and didn’t give Rayo any real errors to capitalize on. So, there’s respect there, too.
Moving Forward
Míchel’s not too worried about the trajectory of the team just yet. He’s more concerned with the game-to-game aspect, and he thinks they’re getting closer to where he wants them to be. They’ve got a big match coming up on Sunday at the Bernabéu, but he’s calm about it. They’ll be recognizable, he says – and that’s what matters.