Too much punishment in European debut at Montilivi | OneFootball

Girona 2-3 Feyenoord

Girona got stuck in a tough match in which they deserved more, and ended up losing in their Champions League debut at Montilivi. Míchel Sánchez's team, despite being ahead, was not able to keep the lead on the scoreboard, and on a very rainy afternoon, the white-and-green team saw their first home defeat in the highest continental competition. Even so, the result does not take away how special the event has been for the club, which despite not finishing as expected, has been the first time that Montilivi has felt the Champions League hymn. Something unimaginable a few years ago, and that shows the great growth of the club to reach such high goals.

David López, the first scorer in the Champions League

The match started in the best way. David López took advantage of a loose ball at the exit of a corner to advance the team and make the stadium vibrate, which a few minutes before had already seen it very close first in a Bryan Gil's arrival that the goalkeeper saved with a great hand, and later in another clear chance in the small area that he deflected with his foot. The joy was short-lived, because in the next action, a free kick in the area bounced off Yangel Herrera and ended up in the back of the net. The equalizer gave a boost to Feyenoord, who, taking advantage of an imprecision in the ball's exit, scored the second, and also had a penalty that Gazzaniga saved.

Donny Van de Beek keeps hope alive

Girona started the second half with the desire and conviction to turn the score around, and Van de Beek came very close to the equalizer with a goal that was disallowed by the referee for offside. Miovski also had a chance from the penalty spot, but the goalkeeper deflected the shot to his right again with a great save. From the ensuing corner, the Macedonian striker threatened again with a header that was too close to the target, and Donny Van de Beek was rewarded for his efforts. The Dutchman attacked the area and scored from close range to equalize and make believe in the comeback with a quarter of an hour to go. Montilivi pushed and the team was on fire, but another isolated and unfortunate play allowed Feyenoord to take the lead again in the final stretch in a cross that rebounded to Krejci.

“The second half is the way forward”

Míchel Sánchez has insisted on having the personality to play forward and look the team in the face. The coach has also praised the second half of the rojiblancos, because they have achieved it: “It has been spectacular. We dominated and did a lot of things well”, he explained, after correcting some situations from the first half at halftime, and added that ‘we generated enough to get a positive result’.