The youth team bid farewell to Europe with a cruel defeat in Greece (1-0) | OneFootball

The UEFA Youth League has come to the end after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Olympiacos in the last 32 round of the competition. Despite dominating the game and creating more chances, the Girona side were unable to find the back of the net and were punished by a solitary goal from the Greek side in the second half.

From the first minute, Sergi Mora's team came out with clear ideas and took control of the game. Minsu, very active on the left, was the first to try his luck with a shot from the edge of the area that goalkeeper Kouraklis blocked without difficulty. It was the 10th minute.

While the home side maintained a defence of three central defenders, the visitors stepped up their attack. Luis Montes, with two long-range shots, was the most incisive, but the clearest chances came in the final stretch of the first half. In the 38th minute, Arango broke free in midfield and played Minsu through on goal, but the South Korean, alone in front of the keeper, sent his shot wide. Shortly afterwards, Erik Vázquez had another clear chance after a good move by Arango playing with his back to goal, but his shot also went wide.

Girona started the second half with the same determination. The winger Erik Vázquez tried a shot at the near post from inside the area, and Minsu tried a shot at the long post from the edge of the area, but on both occasions they were saved by the Greek goalkeeper.

As the minutes wore on, the visitors lost the initiative and, in an isolated move, Pnevmonidis, arriving unmarked from the back, headed in to make it 1-0. It was the 70th minute and, although Girona tried to react, they could not find the net.

Girona tried to react, but still couldn't find the net. The team did not give up. Even in the final minutes they could have equalised, but the solid Greek defence denied them every chance.

With this defeat, Girona bid farewell to the Youth League after a group stage in which they had two wins and four draws. Despite the farewell, the team leaves with their heads held high having shown a high competitive level in their first European participation.