Girona’s first ever run within the Champions League might be ending on the league part, as their knockout stage hopes have come to an finish after a slim defeat to AC Milan on the San Siro.
The hosts had been dominant within the opening phases, and so they got here shut on two events as Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leao had been each denied by saves from Paulo Gazzaniga. The woodwork was additionally struck twice as Theo Hernandez’s mis-hit effort clipped the crossbar, whereas former Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah crashed a strike again off the publish.
Girona had been beneath the cosh, and sadly, they might not maintain out as Milan struck the primary blow eight minutes earlier than half time. Girona misplaced possession in midfield, and that allowed Ismael Bennacer to play in Leao, who beat one problem earlier than firing excessive into the online from shut vary.
Girona seemed to pressure an equaliser within the second half, and so they thought they’d it as Bryan Gil scored a uncommon objective. Nonetheless, it was dominated out for offside on-field, and the VAR workforce agreed with that call, a lot to the frustration of the Catalans.
Each groups seemed to attain within the remaining phases, however in the end, it was Leao’s first half effort that proved to be the distinction between the 2 groups. Girona wanted to win this one so as to maintain their hopes alive of reaching the Champions League knockout phases, however with it being a defeat, their run will come to an finish after subsequent week’s match in opposition to Arsenal.
In the end, it has been a marketing campaign of missed alternatives for Girona, who ought to have picked up extra factors in a few of their earlier league part matches. They may take pleasure in that match in opposition to Arsenal at Montilivi, however after that, their sole focus might be on La Liga.