Girona FC
·12 December 2024
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Yahoo sportsGirona FC
·12 December 2024
Receiving the current leader of the Champions League and the Premier League was not an easy challenge, but Girona has shown that at their best level they are capable of competing against anyone. The red and white have fallen by details, but they have done it with honor and leaving a great image in the most demanding match on paper. In fact, if it weren't for the lack of effectiveness up front, Míchel's team could have had a much more positive result against Liverpool, who they managed to match in intensity and subdue during some stretches, especially in the first half, generating very clear chances that didn't end up in the back of the net.
The desire to vindicate themselves in the Champions League against one of the most difficult opponents and to enjoy themselves at Montilivi was evident from the start. In a match with a very high tempo, the Girona players had the personality to come out with the ball from the back, they found space to hurt the visitors' defense and knew how to control Liverpool's transitions.
In one of the first moves, Blind has already rubbed the first goal by failing to finish at the far post a low cross, and Francés has picked up the second action and forced Alisson to intervene. The Brazilian goalkeeper also had to stretch to deflect a cross shot from Miguel, and Bryan, collecting the rebound, finished too high. Gazzaniga had to save the ball in an isolated but very dangerous chance for the visitors, and once again Alisson had to stretch to keep out a powerful shot from Asprilla for a corner.
Just after coming back from the changing rooms, Danjuma had a chance, recovering in the opponent's half and sending a shot that did not find any luck. The winger threatened again with an exceptional play that he could not finish well, but a slight contact in the other area from Van de Beek to Luis Diaz led to the decisive penalty, after a warning from the VAR. Salah, deceiving Gazzaniga and placing it to his left side, did not forgive. The team, which has neutralized well a team of Liverpool's stature, continued to look for the equalizer without success, although without such clear situations.