Girona’s Champions League struggles continued on Wednesday as they fell 1-0 to Sturm Graz, with Mika Biereth’s second-half strike earning the Austrian side their first points of the group stage.
Despite controlling possession and dictating much of the tempo, Girona lacked the cutting edge in attack, managing just one shot on target throughout the game.
Sturm Graz, ranked 29th in the standings, sits just above Girona in 30th place, with both teams level on three points and three matches remaining.
The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Biereth capitalized on a rebound.
Paulo Gazzaniga had initially parried a shot from inside the box, but Biereth was quick to pounce, slotting the ball home from close range.
Girona had a golden opportunity to take the lead earlier in the match. Ivan Martin found himself unmarked in front of an open goal but astonishingly missed, sending his effort over the crossbar.
As the clock ticked down, Girona pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Cristhian Stuani came close but headed wide.
In the dying moments, even Gazzaniga ventured upfield for a corner, but Sturm’s swift clearance nearly resulted in a second goal for the hosts.
For Girona, the defeat marks a setback in their Champions League campaign, following their remarkable third-place finish in La Liga last season.
