Last-gasp Krejci strike completes Girona comeback
Ladislav Krejci's stoppage-time volley rescued a point for Girona as it came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica.
The result ended a three-match winning streak in LaLiga for Michel's side, but he was relieved that the result turned out as it did.
Villarreal, unbeaten in five matches across all competitions ahead of kick-off, broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Thierno Barry tucked home after Yeremy Pino's initial header came back off the post.
The hosts, who were aiming to close the gap on the top three, doubled their lead within a minute of the restart through Alex Baena.
Girona responded in the 66th minute, halving the deficit when Donny van de Beek's deflected half-volley beat Diego Conde from the edge of the box.
Christhian Stuani saw an equaliser ruled out by VAR for offside, but the visitors did ensure a share of the spoils deep into stoppage-time through Krejci's volley from distance.
Michel was delighted with the mentality shown by his Girona team.
"At 2-0 it was very difficult to draw the game. I don't know if it was deserved but for me it was a great game from both teams," he said.
"[Villarreal coach] Marcelino controlled the tactical aspects and managed to make sure that with just a few touches the opponent hurt us in transition.
"I saw us losing, of course. They have a lot of quality and I thought that it was difficult to get something positive from the game. At 2-0 the team tried, we made it 2-1 and then we got into the game."
The result moved Girona up to seventh in the standings but it has work to do to return to the top four, with Villarreal in fourth place, four points ahead and with a game in hand.
"It will be complicated. Villarreal have found the key and with three competitions I don't know if we can reach that level," Michel said.
"They are not far away now with the draw, but they have a game in hand."
