Girona manager Michel has refused to rule out his side's chances of making it to Europe following their lose to Sevilla in LaLiga on Saturday. 

Captain Arnau Martinez had pulled Girona ahead at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in the first half, but goals from Saul and Dodi Lukebakio after the break gave the visitors a 2-1 victory. 

As a result, Girona missed the chance to move into the top six in the Spanish top flight and sit two points behind sixth-placed Real Mallorca, who have a game in hand.

"One game does not take away the idea that we have the potential to fight for Europe," Michel said after the game. 

"I am clear about it and also that we have to show it on the pitch."

Girona had finished third in LaLiga last season to qualify for European competition for the first time in their history.

But they have struggled for form this campaign, losing eight of their 20 games while only winning eight with five of those wins coming on home soil. 

Saturday was the first time they had lost at home after leading at half-time in the league since a defeat to Real Betis in May 2023.

"This is a step backwards but there is the whole second half of the season. We have to continue believing, working," Michel said. 

"The first thing is to achieve salvation which gives security and the club has stability but then we have to look upwards and build a team that can fight for Europe."

Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga had denied Isaac Romero from the penalty spot as early as the third minute before the hosts took the lead later in the half. 

"We wanted to have the ball and lock Sevilla in but we lost too many balls in the build-up, imprecise. And that generated uncertainty for us to grow in the game," the Girona boss said.

"We didn't have the ability in attack and if Sevilla can run they can hurt you.

Girona accumulated an xG of 1.23 from four shots on target during the game while Sevilla ended with an xG of 2.91 and six efforts on target.

"They shot 14 times and we had seven. We had the ball but we did not manage to make progression in the game as we were looking to," Michel said. 

Michel's side will next face Serie A side AC Milan in the Champions League, where they have only registered one win in six matches this season.