Oldham Athletic manager Frankie Bunn has expressed his delight at yesterday’s result against Le Liga side Girona.
Latics beat the Catalan team, who finished 10th in Spain’s top division last season, 0-1 in a behind closed doors friendly.
“It was a great result,” Bunn commented.
“It was a totally different style of football than the previous four games, we had to work hard without the ball, which we did.
“We were fortunate to get an early goal but then the lads defended that.
“We maybe could have snuck another one second half to make it two but the spirit the side showed was something to be seen.”
Girona’s technical ability was on display for all to see with their shot passing and long periods of possession.
Despite that, the Latics’ trialist keeper was rarely tested and Bunn was pleased with the defensive workrate of his team.
“They conducted themselves really well,” he said.
“They stood up to a stern test and came through the other side.
“It was a bit foreign to what we’ll be dealing with in the forthcoming season but the way they pressed, came after us and their reactive pressure when they gave the ball away and their will to win it back is something we’re going to aspire to.
“They are the things we are looking at doing as part of our identity and to see it live was good and it’s something we need to look at further and try and improve upon.”
The win means Oldham's unbeaten pre-seaon run continues, but that record is set to be tested again this weekend when Latics host Championship side Preston North End at Boundary Park in the final friendly ahead of the new league campaign.
“We haven’t started yet in terms of our league fixtures but the signs are looking good,” the manager exclaimed.
“The spirit means a lot to us because we’re going to have to stick together this forthcoming season.
“We’re making small steps to where we want to be ultimately, we’re not quite there yet but hopefully come the fourth of August we’ll be ready to go.”
Oldham Athletic take on Preston North End on Saturday, July 28, 3:00pm kick off at Boundary Park.