Michel gunning for Getafe scalp

17 August 2012 19:45

Sevilla head coach Michel is confident his side can beat his former club Getafe in their first La Liga outing of the season on Saturday.

Former Spain international Michel coached Getafe between 2009 and 2011, before taking over at Sevilla in February this year.

He guided the team to ninth last season, three points and two places better off than his old side.

They two teams go head-to-head at Sevilla's Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, and Michel is confident the hosts will come out on top.

"I think I have a team with the resources to beat Getafe, with all due respect to them," he said.

"I'm sorry to say that but my team is good, motivated and has a lot of desire to play the first match of the season - a new season in entirely.

Sevilla invested heavily in new players in the off-season, adding Alberto Botia, Cicinho, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Diego Lopez to the squad.

But Michel said there could be further movement before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

"It's August 17, La Liga is about to start, but I think that the team line-up can still change," he said.

"Some changes which are expected and others because the unstable market of the last few weeks - but anything can happen."

Michel also said he believes UEFA Europa League winners Atletico Madrid are likely to pose the biggest challenge to Real Madrid and Barcelona this season.

"Atletico Madrid are a serious alternative to be the champion, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Valencia, which has a new coach and some new players," he said.

"I think that all the teams close to Madrid and Barcelona, close in the table, have made good signings. The only unknown one is Malaga. Due to a strange situation allowed in football they sold players, and important ones for them."