Girona made their Champions League debut on Wednesday, and it was an incredibly tough start to life in European football’s biggest competition – a late goal for Paris Saint-Germain ensured a 1-0 defeat for the Catalans.
Match Report
PSG dominated the first half, with Girona unable to even muster a single shot in the opening 45 minutes. However, they also gave up very little, with strong defending limited the hosts’ opportunities.
Into the second period, and PSG upped the pressure. Ousmane Dembele should have scored, but an incredible last-ditch challenge from Ladislav Krejci – making his first start for Girona – stopped a certain goal. Paulo Gazzaniga also made big saves, but he went from hero to villain in the dying stages.
PSG’s winner came in the 90th minute. A driving run from Nuno Mendes saw him reach the by-line, and his rather meagre effort somehow went through Gazzaniga and into the back of Girona’s net.
A desperate result for Girona, but a result that they can be proud of. They return to La Liga action this weekend, with their next Champions League fixture being at home to Feyenoord in two weeks time.
Match Events
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4' Highlight from PSG vs Girona
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80' Highlight from PSG vs Girona
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85' Highlight from PSG vs Girona
90' OWN GOAL! PSG 1-0 Girona (Paulo Gazzaniga)
Line-ups
PSG XI: Marquinhos, Dembele, Asensio, Fabian Ruiz, Hakimi, Matvey Safonov, Vitinha, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaïre-Emery
Subs: Skriniar, Muani, Arnau Tenas, Kang-in Lee, Lucas Beraldo, Louis Mouquet, Désiré Doué, João Neves, Yoram Zague, Senny Mayulu
Girona XI: Stuani, Romeu, D.López, Gazzaniga, Viktor Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Iván Martín, Ladislav Krejci, Miguel Gutiérrez, Gil, Arnau Martínez
Subs: Blind, Juanpe, Portu, P. Lopez, Arnaut Danjuma, Abel Ruiz, Bojan Miovski, Alejandro Francés, Yaser Asprilla, Jhon Solís