Both sides also missed a penalty at the Catalan minnows' modest Montilivi stadium. Girona were the Spanish top-flight's surprise package last season, eventually finishing third to reach the Champions League, and European football, for the first time in their history. However after losing various key players in the summer Michel Sanchez's side have not found their stride this season.

Girona fell to a 1-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener, with goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga's 90th-minute own goal settling the game in the French team's favour. Two more own goals from Yangel Herrera and Ladislav Krejci frustrated Girona against Feyenoord, and they equalled Fenerbahce's record of three conceded in a Champions League campaign despite playing just two games.

Girona took the lead through David Lopez after 19 minutes when the Spaniard turned home a rebound from close range. However four minutes later Quinten Timber's header from a free-kick bounced in off Herrera to level the score. Antoni Milambo finished coolly for the visitors, who lost their opening game 4-0 at home against Bayer Leverkusen, to put Feyenoord into the lead in the 33rd minute.

The Dutch side could have extended their lead shortly afterwards but Gazzaniga saved Ayase Ueda's penalty after Ivan Martin felled the persistent Timber. Girona midfielder Donny van der Beek had a goal ruled out for offside before the break. Bojan Miovski won a penalty midway through the second half but Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, who conceded it, denied the forward from the spot.

Van de Beek levelled in the 73rd minute after a fine run by Arnaut Danjuma but Feyenoord soon hit back again. Krejci deflected a cross past Gazzaniga into his own net in another stroke of bad luck for Sanchez's side.

October 2, 2024

Y. Herrera

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