AC Milan faced off against Girona FC at San Siro on January 22, 2025, marking a significant occasion for the Catalan side, who made their Champions League debut at the iconic venue. The match commenced at 21:00 CET and carried the weight of both teams' aspirations within the prestigious tournament. Milan, accustomed to high stakes, was determined to make a statement after their disappointing start to the season. They were seeking their second consecutive victory after previously losing to Juventus and languishing on the edge of qualification for the knockout stages.
With manager Sergio Conceição at the helm, the Rossoneri were expected to bounce back from their Serie A setback. Conceição recently took over from Paulo Fonseca and quickly led the team to win the Supercoppa Italiana, yet their mixed league performances left fans yearning for consistency. Girona, on the other hand, had struggled significantly, finding themselves at the bottom of their Champions League group. With only three points amassed from six matches, their hopes of progressing to the next round appeared slim, prompting them to embrace this match as potentially their last chance to salvage European pride.
During the initial kickoff, both teams displayed eagerness. AC Milan's starting eleven featured key names like Rafael Leão and Alvaro Morata upfront, alongside the likes of Ismaël Bennacer and Youssouf Fofana orchestrated the midfield. On the contrary, Girona lined up with players like Donny van de Beek and Cristhian Stuani as they attempted to create chances against the Italian giants.
Early on, Milan controlled much of the possession and initiated their attacking plays swiftly. Rafael Leão found himself at the center of many of Milan's moves, delivering sharp attacks and attempting several shots on goal. A standout moment came when he managed to break the deadlock with a superb goal, putting Milan on the scoreboard first. This goal sparked the team's spirits—Milan pressing hard for more, with Leão involved repeatedly as he struck opportunities at Girona's defense.
This physical encounter did not come without its fair share of fouls. Various players found themselves booked as the game progressed—Theo Hernández and Davide Calabria from AC Milan faced yellow cards, indicating the match's intensity. Girona also contributed to the physicality of the game, with Iván Martín being cautioned after committing a foul against Milan's Youssouf Fofana.
Though AC Milan enjoyed significant control over the first half, Girona was not to be dismissed entirely. The visitors hounded the home side, seeking to sting back. Their best effort came from header attempts and significant plays from Yangel Herrera and Viktor Tsyhankov, vying for openings. They came close to equalizing but often faltered at the finish line.
The second half maintained momentum with both squads pushing forward. Milan continued to hunt for more goals, with Leão being the focal point alongside Morata. Yet Girona had their moment to shine, rallying for shots but failing to convert their chances when it mattered. Girona's approach was more defensive, aiming to hit Milan on the break, hoping to exploit any tactical slip-ups.
After multiple attempts on both sides, the match became defined by missed opportunities. Rafael Leão almost doubled the score before seemingly running out of steam, hitting the post with his powerful strike which left fans gasping. Each play layered more tension as time wore on—the fourth official indicated five additional minutes of play as both coaches urged their respective sides to dig deep.
Despite Milan’s dominance and control of the game, the tension remained palpable. Girona, desperate for points, pushed forward fervently trying to rally back. But each time they moved closer to success, they were met with resistance from Milan’s defense—all squared away by impressive saves from goalkeeper Mike Maignan who consistently thwarts Girona’s advances.
At the whistle, AC Milan secured the win, edging Girona 1-0 thanks to Leão’s first-half strike. The victory was pivotal, placing Milan back within reach of qualification for the next round of the Champions League.
Post-match, the excitement among AC Milan fans was evident, solidifying hopes for their progression under Conceição's growing strategy. Meanwhile, Girona's performance, though commendable at times, remained plagued by inconsistencies, marking another frustrating chapter for the La Liga outfit as they aim to regroup for their next outing.