He will have to wait for this moment when the fans of Girona can celebrate their team’s first points in the Champions League. After losing with honor in Paris against the powerful PSG, it was expected that on the second day the Catalan team would be able to “scratch” something against a Feyenoord which is far from being one of the scarecrows of Europe, but it could not be either.
Those of Michael In this type of event, they came up against a more experienced rival, but above all their own mistakes which, in a high-level competition, cost them matches. An own goal, a missed penalty and a gift for a Feyenoord goal were differentials in the fatal outcome.
And the Catalans started to take the lead on the scoreboard and they promised themselves to be very happy. David Lopez He scored the first European goal in Girona’s history, but it all went downhill and downhill from there and Feyenoord ended up taking all three points home.
A crazy first part
Montilivi was looking forward to witnessing a historic match. It was the first home game of the Girona in a European competition, the team therefore wanted to demonstrate from the first moment that it was up to the task of an event of such magnitude.
Michel’s men, who did not have their best start to the season, took control of the ball from the start. They wanted to send people from Girona and show Feyenoord that they weren’t going to be intimidated, even if they were more inexperienced in this type of encounter.
In fact, it didn’t take long for the Catalan team to have their first clear chance. Tsygankov, strongman of last season and also a reference in this one, managed to enter the area with great skill, but his left-footed shot stopped him. Wellenreuther with a big hand.
These were moments of domination for the locals. Miovski tried shortly after without success, but soon this insistence of the Geronese would find a well-deserved reward. On set pieces, Girona reaped the fruits of its momentum. A corner served from the right side is completed by Krejci, but the ball was dead in the area and David López appeared very timely to shoot with the first goal of the match.
Montilivi exploded with joy, but the joy of the red and white supporters would not last long. Poor Girona defending from another free kick resulted in an own goal from Yángel Herrera.
It started again midway through the first half, and with even worse news for Girona as Tsygankov broke down and had to be replaced by Danjuma. Things went from bad to worse for Míchel’s men, who saw Feyenoord come back even with Milambo’s goal after a big mistake in releasing the ball.
It could have been even worse, because in the midst of Girona’s breakdown, a penalty fell in favor of Feyenoord. However, Gazzaniga came to the rescue to stop Ueda’s launch.
Girona cannot
Girona had no choice but to move forward in the second act to try to avoid their second defeat. Míchel’s team took the lead in search of a draw and secured it shortly after the restart. Van de Beek He came down the wing, rushed to the baseline and placed a cross that hit Hanko.
The ball went into the Feyenoord goal, but the referee immediately put his hand to his ear, pointing out that the VAR I was reviewing the stock. Indeed, the referee disallowed the goal because Van de Beek was slightly ahead when receiving the pass.
Girona tried to continue pressing with confidence. And that’s how he had the clearest opportunity at eleven meters. Penalty in favor of the Catalans, doubtful to say the least, but as happened in the first half on the opposing side, Girona spoiled the gift. Miovski met the Dutch goalkeeper.
Despite everything, Míchel’s men did not give up and found the goal shortly after. And this time, it was worth it. A game of Danjuma From the left wing, he found Van de Beek’s shot from inside the area to level the score.
Again the delirium in Montilivi and once again the joy lasted only a few moments. Feyenoord immediately returned to the opposite field and bad luck struck the home team. Krejci deflected a cross into his own goal and gave the visitors the lead.
Girona put faith and heart in him. He tried until the end, but he lacked football and clarity in his ideas against a Feyenoord who hardly suffered in reality. The Catalans remain in the lower group without having yet been able to add any.