Girona is facing the precipice in the Champions League. Míchel Sánchez’s men faced the match against Sturm Graz with a boost of spirit after the resounding victory against Espanyol and being aware that they had in their hands a key opportunity to continue dreaming of the possibility of being among the 24 best and continue along the path in the top European competition. It was the most accessible rival of the matches that the Girona players have left – they have three tough nuts left to crack like Liverpool, Milan and Arsenal – but the lack of aim of Montilivi’s team condemned them in Austria. The locals won by the minimum and the people from Girona made their options very complicated with only three points out of a possible 15. A blow to their aspirations.
In the early stages of the match, Girona tried to take control of the ball and the match. However, the first quarter of an hour was somewhat difficult and Míchel Sánchez’s men were unable to make the Austrian team uncomfortable. The locals did not go beyond three quarters, but they did not suffer at the back either. The visitors moved and moved the ball, but they lacked spark in attack despite Bryan Gil who stood out with several dribbles and feints.
As the match progressed, Girona advanced and gained ground but continued without intimidating the rival. The plan was to find spaces and the truth is that Sturm Graz, when they managed to recover the ball, appeared more vertical than the red and whites.
It was in the 22nd minute when Girona had the best opportunity to open the scoring. It was the clearest of all. Blind found space and sent a deep pass to Iván Martín who, on the right wing, almost reached the baseline to put the ball in the vicinity of the penalty spot and for a Girona player to finish. An Austrian defender avoided it, but the ball ended up in the boots of Bryan Gil, who dribbled past one of the opponents and left Iván Martín alone on the goal line. The one from Bilbao had it done: he only had to push to score, but the ball inexplicably went up.
Since that failure, the Girona team deflated and the local team went from less to more, managing to balance the match at the Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt. The Austrians connected their passes better and made more incursions into the rival area, worrying the Girona defense more than expected. They had a couple of scoring chances, although Gazzaniga had no problems stopping them.
The people of Girona paid for their lack of aim
After the break, the tone of the game did not change much. There was a little more grit in Míchel’s men, but without success. Proof of this is that they only had one shot on goal. Seeing that more gunpowder was necessary, the Girona coach began to shake the tree in the 51st minute and brought Asprilla onto the field. A minute later, Miovski’s goal was disallowed for a clear offside.
In the 58th minute came the painful defeat goal. Sturm Graz striker Mika Biereth took advantage of the fact that Gazzaniga had not caught the ball after a powerful shot by Jatta. When he repelled it, the ball went into the boots of the Austrian team player, who sent it into the back of the net.
The home team’s goal fell like a bucket of cold water on Girona, who tried to row and take flight without success. Alejandro Francés had a chance that hit the left post in the 60th minute, but there were few other actions worth highlighting. Sturm Graz locked themselves in their field and Girona, not very fresh, had a hard time overcoming the Austrian wall.
Girona’s path in the Champions League is going uphill: with only three points, they still have to face Liverpool, Milan and Arsenal
In the face of adversity, radical solutions were necessary. Míchel brought out Danjuma, Stuani and Abel Ruiz to have more dynamite up front, but it was not fruitful. The visit to Klagenfurt ended in tragedy: the result hinders the chances of a Girona whose hopes are fading. Míchel Sánchez’s men would need two miracles (at least) against their next three opponents (of great importance) to sneak into the ‘top 24’.
Technical sheet
Sturm Graz, 0 – Girona, 0
0 – Sturm Graz: Khudiakov, Gazibegovic, Aiwu, Geyrhofer, Lavalée, Chukwuani, Kiteishvili, Yalcouye (Horvat, min. 65), William Boving (Hierländer, min. 91), Jatta (Yardimci, min. 65) and Biereth (Stankovic , min. 75)
0 – Girona: Gazzaniga, Alejandro Francés (Solís, min. 73), Krejci, Juanpe, Blind (Danjuma, min. 67), Miguel Gutiérrez, Oriol Romeu, Iván Martín (Yáser Asprilla, min. 51), Tsygankov (Abel Ruiz , min. 73), Bryan Gil and Miovski (Stuani, min. 67)
Goals: 1-0, min. 58: Mika Biereth
Referee: Rohit Saggi. He cautioned Gazibegovic (min. 20), Bryan Gil (min. 64)
Incidents: Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League played at the Wörthersee Stadion.
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