Girona Faces Uphill Battle Against AC Milan in Crucial Champions League Clash

MILAN, Italy — Girona, making their UEFA Champions League debut, face a daunting challenge against seven-time champions AC Milan at the iconic San Siro on Wednesday. With their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, the Catalan side must overcome a run of five losses in six European games to keep their dreams alive.

Girona currently sit 29th in the league phase with just three points, five places outside the knockout phase playoff zone. Coach Michel remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of delivering a strong performance against one of Europe’s most storied clubs. “We’re going to put out the best possible eleven to try to win. The San Siro is historic, and Milan are one of Europe’s greats,” Michel told reporters on Tuesday.

Despite their struggles, Girona have shown resilience, losing four of their five defeats by a single goal. Their most recent match saw them secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory, with a penalty conversion in the 63rd minute proving decisive. However, losses to Sturm Graz, Paris St-Germain, and Feyenoord have left them in a precarious position.

Michel believes there is still a chance to climb into the playoff spots. “At the start of the Champions League, we said that with nine or 10 points you would make it to the next stage. Winning tomorrow would certainly give us a chance,” he said. “I’m not interested in what happens to other teams. The goal is to be alive going into the last matchday.”

AC Milan, meanwhile, are in strong form, having won their last four matches after losing their first two games of the campaign. Victories over Club Brugge, Real Madrid, Red Star, and Slovan Bratislava have propelled them up the table, giving them a realistic shot at a top-eight finish. However, they face a Girona side that caused problems for many teams during their impressive 2023-24 LaLiga campaign.

Milan will be without several key players, including suspended defender Fikayo Tomori and injured stars Alessandro Florenzi, Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Malick Thiaw. Coach Stefano Pioli has named a strong lineup, with Alvaro Morata leading the attack, flanked by Rafael Leao and Yunus Musah. The midfield trio of Ismael Bennacer, Tijjani Reijnders, and Youssouf Fofana remains unchanged from their previous match.

Girona’s starting XI features Gazzaniga in goal, with a backline of Francés, David Lopez, Krejci, and Blind. The midfield includes Oriol Romeu, Van de Beek, and Herrera, while Tsygankov, Abel Ruiz, and Bryan Gil form the attacking trio.

With two matches remaining in the league phase, the stakes are high. The top eight finishers will qualify automatically for the last 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th will enter two-legged playoffs. For Girona, a victory at San Siro could reignite their Champions League dream, while Milan aim to solidify their position among Europe’s elite.