Miguel Gutiérrez and Juanpe Lead Girona to Victory Despite Injuries

A third time was the charm for Girona in the Champions League. Míchel's team defied the adversity of injuries to justly defeat Slovan Bratislava and thus open their victory tally in the continent's premier club competition.

Goals from Miguel Gutiérrez, following a great play by Danjuma, the red-and-white offensive beacon, and Juanpe, with an impeccable free kick, rewarded Girona's territorial dominance against a very defensive opponent, capable of reducing local danger with a solid defensive setup. The Catalan team generated only one shot from Yangel Herrera, deflected by the Slovak defense, in the first half-hour. A meager haul for a team plagued by injuries, as confirmed by a new physical problem, this time for Iván Martín.

Once again troubled by injuries, Girona did not give up but instead intensified their siege on Slovan's area. They lacked inspiration in the final meters to overcome the opponent's resistance and reflect their evident superiority in the game on the scoreboard. The break was approaching without goals when Danjuma found the key with his breakthrough on the left wing, from where he placed the ball into the heart of the area for Miguel Gutiérrez's left-footed finish. A just reward for Girona, only threatened in the first half by a couple of counterattacks from the rivals.

Míchel's team denied any hint of a Slovak reaction after the break. They came close to a second with a header from Miovski, and although their ball control did not generate many chances, it allowed them to maintain their lead without trouble, even more so after Juanpe's goal, which confirmed Girona's baptism in the Champions League despite Stuani's missed penalty.