Las tears fell down the cheeks of the most veteran fans of the Girona. They couldn’t believe it: Champions had reached Montilivi. A stadium that has hosted Third, Second B, and Second Division matches and that, after its ‘great season’ in First, has earned the right to experience the top European competition, which came with its classic roller coasters of emotions.
Not even the rain stopped the party in the stands, which collapsed with a rebound that caught David Lopez in an early corner. It was the moment that everyone, from players to Girona fans, had been waiting for: the first ‘Gironin’ goal in the Champions League.
Míchel: “Are there any leftover tickets? I feel bad that there are people who haven’t been there”
Montilivi lives the roller coaster of the Champions League, without luck
But this is the maximum European competition and joys can be short-lived. The thunderous ‘no’ that Montilivi proclaimed accompanied the news of Yangel Herrera in own goal just 5 minutes later.
A goal that sank the Catalan team. The Tsygankov injury It fell like a bucket of cold water, Míchel’s men lowered their arms and Milambo’s goal to turn the score around ended up silencing the stadium.
Los nerves inaccuracies also appeared, and in just 35 minutes Feyenoord won a penalty for a poor delivery of Gazzaniga. The goalkeeper himself was able to correct his mistake and wake up the stands again, also trying to encourage his teammates to change the negative dynamic.
Own goals hit Girona again
And he got it. Girona restarted sensations in the second halfbut he couldn’t have that luck in his favor that can make you different in the Champions League. The goal of Van de Beekdeflected by a central defender, was disallowed for offside and Wellenreuther He emulated Gazzaniga and saved a penalty from Miovski which would have meant a tie for Girona.
The roller coaster was about to reach its climax and, in some ways, cruel for Míchel’s people. Bryan Gil could not find solutions on the right wing and decided to look for them on the left. There where Danjuma entered the area like a miura so that it was Van de Beek who would raise Montilivi again. A tie that didn’t last long.
The own goals returned like a ghost. Once again, a convoluted play in which Gazzaniga was involved ended with the ball inside the goal and with Girona behind on the scoreboard. A result that could not be lifted, putting up with a Montilivi party that, despite everything, will not forget tonight.