MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Magic from Leao and saves from Maignan gave Milan a valuable 1-0 win over Girona. The goal worth the three points came late in the first half and allowed the Rossoneri to dream of direct access to the round of 16, with the Curva Sud fans still in open dispute with the club. After a few moments Emerson Royal is injured and Calabria enters in his place. The first ring is signed by Reijnders, who on 10′ kicks a free-kick round the back of the barrier on which, however, Gazzaniga is good at deflecting it into the corner. The goalkeeper repeated himself a minute later on a close-range shot by Leao. On 24′, the Portuguese is thrown into space by Reijnders, serves a golden ball back to Hernandez who from an excellent position peels off the conclusion and chips the top of the crossbar. The hosts continued to press and on 29′ there was bad luck to bar the way for Musah, who unleashed a great right-footed shot from distance that was printed on the inside face of the post. The first chance for the Spaniards came on 31′, with Maignan decisive in a low exit on Van De Beek. The French goalkeeper repeated himself three minutes later on a left-footed shot from the edge of the area by Tsygankov. The scare over, the 7-time European champions returned to show themselves at 37′ and found the lead. Bennacer interrupted an opponent’s counterattack and verticalized for Leao, who skipped past Lopez dryly and slotted Gazzaniga with a powerful left-footer under the crossbar. In the midst of the recovery it took a great Maignan to save the result, with Herrera being denied the joy of goal by the extreme defender after dribbling Pavlovic in the box. At 10′ of the second half it was Hernandez who had a good opportunity on the restart, but his close-range left-footer ended on the outside of the net. Two minutes later, Gil signed the equalizer with a beautiful left-footed shot, but it was disallowed for a pinpoint offside. On 20′, Leao triangulates with newcomer Abraham and goes for a right-footed shot from 20 yards but the ball goes just wide. The guests threw themselves into the attack in search of an equalizer, but the opponent’s defense was alert. The result will not change again. This victory propels Milan to sixth place on 15 points. In case of success in a week’s time at the field of Dinamo Zagreb, Conceicao’s men will be able to celebrate qualification to the round of 16.
– photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
Leao knocks out Girona, Milan close to Champions League round of 16
