There are still a few weeks until Sant Narcís. Even more so so that the streets are decorated with flowers in May. But yesterday other colors invaded Girona to enjoy a party that was unthinkable not long ago. From the century-old cathedral, at the highest point of the city, one could sense how the Onyar houses added red and white to their already multichromatic facades. La Rambla was a hive of fans, of all generations, who enlivened the wait dressed in the shirt of a team already to remember. Even in the quietest and most mysterious Devesa the echoes of a unique sporting event for the people of Girona reverberated. And the Peixateries Velles bridge, designed by Eiffel, confirmed, with a large banner, that the city is Champions territory.
“Put the date on the scarf,” a child told his grandfather. “Of course, so you can remember this historic day,” responded the veteran fan, a witness to less glorious times, before the doors of the Montilivi stadium opened, the epicenter of a memorable night for the Catalan club, that of the continental debut in home. All thanks to Míchel and his pupils. The match was so special, a day to enjoy no matter what, that neither the impertinent rain nor the defeat against Feyenoord due to two own goals spoiled it.
The match had two penalties, one in each area, which ended in two saves by the goalkeepers.
It was difficult for Girona, with five new additions to the eleven, to find their place, harassed by a Dutch team used to dominating. Given the impossibility of circulating the ball, as the red and whites like, Miguel Gutiérrez opted for a long pass that Tsygankov converted on the first occasion. The locals were encouraged, as they once again prowled the area with a poisoned cross, which Miovski almost reached, and with a header from Van de Beek.
So much insistence was rewarded when a corner came out. David López, taking advantage of a dead ball, had the honor of scoring the club’s first goal in Europe. A Montilivi stadium was celebrating with less capacity, the extra stands empty due to UEFA regulations. The almost 9,000 faithful celebrated the milestone as best they could between raincoats and umbrellas. The joy, however, lasted just three minutes. Timber tried to finish off a lateral foul, but it was Herrera, much to his chagrin, who finished the ball into the net.
The bad news multiplied when Tsygankov fell to the ground. The Ukrainian’s injury, one more in an already depleted squad, left a Girona side affected by their mistakes. David López failed to get the ball out and Milambo put Priske’s team ahead. The locals had not yet healed the wound when Gazzaniga made another mistake in the construction and Iván Martín knocked down Timber in the area. The goalkeeper made up for it by stopping the maximum penalty against Ueda and gave the red and whites hope before the break.
The enthusiasm motivated a Girona that after the restart cornered Feyenoord, subscribed to the counterattack. Van de Beek celebrated a cross that ended up in the net after a deflection, but the VAR saw offside. It did not worry the people of Girona, at a thousand revolutions. Now the ball was moving with speed, with Bryan Gil as the main offensive weapon. The Catalan put in the umpteenth cross and on the rebound Wellenreuther committed a penalty on Miovski. The Macedonian took responsibility, but the goalkeeper made his night miserable with a great save.
Wellenreuther saves Miovski’s penalty.
Girona’s hope remained unwavering. Also Danjuma’s faith in a stumbling drive that ended in a pass to Van de Beek, who, this time, sent the ball into the back of the goal. Montilivi was falling apart. Míchel encouraged the fans, soaked by the fine and constant rain that fell. The party, however, turned once again into disappointment when Krejci changed the direction of a cross that ended in Feyenoord’s winning goal. Already against the clock, the people from Girona insisted on a tie. Stuani had it close, and he would have closed the circle at the club with a goal in the Champions League. But the effort and tenacity were not enough to add the first European point to a Girona team that, after the final whistle, took a lap of honor to applaud the fans on such a special day. Girona pride.
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Technical sheet:
Girona, 2 – Feyenoord, 3
Girona: Gazzaniga; Arnau, David López, Krejci, Miguel; Herrera (Solís, min. 82), Iván Martín, Tsygankov (Danjuma, min. 29), Van de Beek (Portu, min. 82), Bryan (Asprilla, min. 75); and Miovski (Stuani, min. 75).
Feyenoord: Wellenreuter; Lotomba (Gonzalez, min. 82), Beelen, Hancko, Bueno (Trauner, min. 71); Milambo (Ivanusec, min. 82), Hwang, Timber; Osman (Zerrouki, min. 61), Ueda (Carranza, min. 71) y Paixao.
Goals: 1-0, min. 19: David Lopez. 1-1, min. 23: Herrera own goal. 1-2, min. 33: Milambo. 2-2, min. 73: Van de Beek. 2-3, min. Krejci at own goal.
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland). He admonished the locals Herrera (min. 4), Iván Martín (min. 35), David López (min. 45+1), Danjuma (min. 49) and Stuani (min. 88) to the visitors Osman (min. 14 ), Bueno (min. 60) and IB Hwang (min. 64).
Incidents: Match on the second day of the league phase of the Champions League played at the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in front of 8,752 fans.
Source: www.lavanguardia.com
