Girona head coach Michel has called for patience following his side's lacklustre start to the LaLiga season ahead of their meeting with Osasuna on Thursday. 

Michel led the Catalan side to a third place finish in the division last year, but they have taken one point from their first two games, including a 3-0 loss to Atletico Madrid last time out. 

Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Koke's strikes inflicted Girona's heaviest defeat since a 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid back in February. 

But Michel is unconcerned by his team's recent results, however, he acknowledged that his players are far from where they want to be in their preparations. 

"I look at the process, the performance, not the results," Michel said."I think we're far from our best, but I'm convinced we'll play a great game (on Thursday).

"The team is ready. Atletico are one of the big candidates (to win) LaLiga. We're not so bad like it may have looked like..."

Due to their impressive displays which saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history last year, a number of Girona's star performers have departed the club. 

Last season's top scorer, Artem Dovbyk, left for Serie A side Roma, while winger Savinho, who was on loan last season, has joined Manchester City. 

Aleix Garcia was also signed by Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, with Michel having to delve into the market to try and fill those gaps. 

Girona have strengthened with 10 new additions, the most recent of which was announced last week as Watford's Yaser Asprilla joined for a club-record fee. 

Despite being backed by the wealth of their Abu Dhabi owners, Girona are unable to spend the finances compared to Pep Guardiola's side, who headline their City Football Group stable.

However, Michel has called on supporters to get behind his players to help them return to form, starting on Thursday night at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi. 

"We need the fans and the best version of ourselves," Michel said.

"Last year we had a great communion, the fans helped us to win points at home. That's why I ask our fans to be with us, together we are stronger.

"We have not been able to work as we wanted with this new group together in the close season.

"The team understands what we want, but it's true that we need to connect more. I am convinced that we will do it quickly."

Diego Simeone said he spotted positives in Atletico Madrid's performance, despite the disappointing 2-2 draw at Villarreal in their LaLiga opener on Monday.

Atletico had to fight back twice in the first half to rescue a point against Villarreal, who made the most of their rivals' mistakes in defence.

Arnaut Danjuma easily beat Atletico defender Axel Witsel to score Villarreal's opener before a bad mistake by goalkeeper Jan Oblak 19 minutes later led to an own goal from captain Koke.

"We played a good game. We had individual situations that we have to improve but as a collective effort the team played well, but we conceded goals we could have avoided," Simeone told Movistar Plus.

"[The] thing is, in the few chances they had in attack we were toothless and conceded two goals in isolated plays. But I saw good things and details that make the difference throughout the year."

Simeone said he was satisfied with the debut of his blockbuster signing Julian Alvarez, who came off the bench to play the final 15 minutes of the game, though he had little impact.

The Argentinian only joined Atletico a week ago after Manchester City agreed a deal of more than €75million to part with the versatile 24-year-old forward.

"Julian is gradually getting to know the club and his teammates and understanding the system that we are going to play so we are hopeful we'll be able to [appreciate] all the great things he has to offer soon enough," Simeone said.

The manager also confirmed that Joao Felix's absence on Monday was due to "the transfer market" after British and Spanish media reported that Atletico had a deal in place to send the Portuguese forward to Chelsea.

"Soon you will know what I have already been told," Simeone said with a laugh when he was asked about Felix.

Atletico Madrid captain Koke defended the club’s “great gesture” in using their return to Parkhead to pay tribute to the side that beat Celtic in controversial circumstances in 1974.

Atletico will wear a retro strip which matches the style worn by the team that beat Celtic in the European Cup semi-finals.

The side are heroes for the Spanish club, having gone on to win the Intercontinental Cup against Argentina’s Independiente despite losing the European Cup final against Bayern Munich.

But they are viewed as villains by Celtic fans and former players. Atletico had three players sent off and seven others booked as they battled their way to a goalless first-leg draw in Glasgow with Jimmy Johnstone in particular subjected to some vicious fouls.

Police intervened in some post-match clashes between players and Celtic advised fans not to travel to Spain for the second leg, which they lost 2-0, amid reports of death threats for Johnstone and manager Jock Stein.

Two of the players from that team, Ramon Heredia and Francisco Melo, travelled on the club flight to Glasgow for Wednesday’s Champions League game. Both were booked on their previous trip to Celtic Park.

When asked about the controversy the choice of strip had sparked, Koke said: “It’s an important thing for the club, but that was 50 years ago, so while it is good to have those people with us and memories are a big part of football, it is a completely different game now.

“We are just focused on the game. It doesn’t really matter what colour of shirts we are wearing, they could be red or they could be red and white.

“It’s not so important for what happens in the game what jersey we wear, the most important thing is what happens on the pitch.

“But it’s a great gesture from the club and it’s an important part of the club’s history, what happened 50 years ago.”

Manager Diego Simeone brushed off suggestions, from the Spanish media, that the tribute might be seen as an inflammatory move.

“People can interpret things any way they want,” he said. “Wednesday is just about the opposition. Celtic is a tough rival, with some really strong players. I really admire the way they play football and it is going to be a tough game.

“In their games against Lazio and Feyenoord, especially in the first 60-70 minutes, they played at a really high tempo. They are good in transition and have a strong system that they stuck to.

“They will press you in your own half and playing here, it is a really historic stadium.

“As well as the history of 1974, my father told me about 1967 when they played Racing Club (in the Intercontinental Cup). It’s a huge club. One of the most famous in the world.”

Simeone was also asked by a Spanish journalist about a headline over their strip choice in the Scottish press which read ‘Pathetico Madrid’.

“Newspapers will have their headlines but what matters to me is the stadium, the history and the crowd,” he said.