Girona Squanders Their Last Chance

'Déjà vu' for Girona in the Champions League. As happened before against PSG, Feyenoord, or PSV, Míchel's team deserved more against Sturm Graz considering their territorial dominance with the ball, but once again paid dearly for their lack of attacking prowess and especially an alarming defensive fragility, maximized by an opponent seemingly within reach, who had not scored in the competition until now, but who forced the Catalan team into a miracle with Biereth's solitary goal.

Once again, Girona took to the pitch determined to dominate a very defensive team through ball control. However, they struggled to create opportunities, with a wayward shot from Miovski as the best option early on. Boving responded, but Gazzaniga saved.

The match lacked spark, which Bryan Gil provided, electric and skillful, nutmegging the goalkeeper to set up Iván Martín, who missed with everything in his favor. The Basque midfielder's error is hard to explain, one of those remembered with bitterness when the result doesn't go your way.

The Catalan team doubled down on ball circulation, but the risk they always take in playing out from the back was nearly capitalized on by Boving, pressured by Oriol Romeu to prevent an easy shot. As evidenced throughout the tournament, Girona once again lacked the killer instinct, even after the break.

All of Girona's danger was concentrated in Bryan's dribbling, capable of adding a gear to his team's predictable ball handling. However, they barely threatened debutant Khudiakov's goal and, on the contrary, conceded at the first opportunity they gave Sturm Graz. Too many chances for Jatta's shot and weak hands from Gazzaniga, who left Biereth with a gift the Dane did not waste.

Already forced into heroics, Girona could not be denied their will to fight against adversity. They besieged the Austrian area and accumulated corner kicks. However, it was a flurry with much noise and little substance, as they barely created a header from veteran Stuani dealt with by Khudiakov. A scant argument to avoid a stumble where it was not allowed. With only three points to their name, Míchel's team has no choice but to secure a big haul against three giants like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Milan.