Girona were frustrated by a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday when a late double by substitute Randy Nteka cancelled out Bryan Gil's opener, their second consecutive LaLiga defeat in which they scored first but then squandered the lead.
"For the second week in a row we've gone ahead and gave away the three points, we have to be self-critical, we can't allow that to keep happening," former Tottenham attacking midfielder Gil told DAZN.
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⚽️ Bryan
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After taking Spanish football by storm and securing a surprise third-place finish in LaLiga last season, Girona have failed to keep up the momentum and have won only two of their last 11 games in all competitions.
They have been knocked out of the Champions League with six losses from seven games and are ninth in LaLiga with 28 points, two shy of the European spots.
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"I think we have been struggling and find it difficult when we're winning because when our rivals go up and start pressing, we're not strong enough," Gil said.
"It starts with us up front, in attack, we should be the first ones to press and put a better effort into helping our team defend the late runs.
"We must stay positive, take the good things from today and the other day and correct our mistakes because we are a team with a lot of ambition and all the players give their all for this shield. I am convinced that this momentum will change."
Manager Michel gave credit to Rayo and said they had deserved to win.
"Rayo had a lot of intensity and it was difficult for us to create our own style of play," Michel told DAZN.
"Perhaps the result is fair because they had more chances and imposed a rhythm that prevented us from controlling the game."