Michel believes Girona will inject some life back into their faltering campaign by picking up a win against Villarreal in Sunday's LaLiga fixture.

Girona were dealt another blow in the Champions League in midweek, as they lost 1-0 to Austrian side Sturm Graz on Wednesday.

They are the first Spanish team in Champions League history to lose four of their opening five matches in the competition. 

Girona are eighth in LaLiga heading into their meeting with fourth-placed Villarreal, having won their last three matches in Spain's top flight, while scoring four goals in two of them. 

"Despite the hard blow in the Champions League, now we have to bounce back and continue with the dynamic we had in LaLiga," Michel told reporters on Saturday.

"If we win tomorrow the team will get some oxygen back.

"Villarreal are in a great moment. And to be as high up as possible we have to win games like tomorrow's match," Michel added.

"If we win we can look at the top. But it's a very difficult game. Villarreal in defence are always in balance to make a quick attack. In two or three passes they can have a chance to score."

Michel said striker Viktor Tsygankov, who has struggled with a hamstring injury since early October, is a doubt for the match along with Yaser Asprilla.

"We have concerns regarding Tsygankov and Asprilla, as both finished the previous match with discomfort," Michel added.

"Tsygankov is experiencing an ankle issue, while Asprilla has a strain in his adductor muscle. We'll see how they feel tomorrow." 

Villarreal have won six of their last seven meetings with Girona (L1) in all competitions, as many victories as in their previous 12 clashes (W6 L6).