Chukwueze absent as Milan secures narrow victory over Girona in Champions League

AC Milan edged out Girona with a 1-0 win at San Siro, bolstering their prospects for automatic qualification to the Champions League Round of 16.

The decisive moment came in the 37th minute when Rafael Leão capitalized on Ismaël Bennacer’s through ball, delivering a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

Milan established control early in the match, with Theo Hernández and Yunus Musah both hitting the woodwork, signaling the home side’s attacking intent.

In the 37th minute, Leão received a precise pass from Bennacer and struck a formidable shot past Girona’s goalkeeper, marking his fourth goal in the competition this season.

The visitors showed resilience, with Bryan Gil finding the net in the second half, only for the goal to be disallowed due to a marginal offside call.

This victory propels AC Milan into sixth place in the standings with 15 points, positioning them favorably for automatic advancement to the knockout stages. Their final league phase match is an away fixture against Dinamo Zagreb.

Conversely, Girona’s hopes of progressing have been dashed, as they remain with a single victory in the competition. They are set to host Arsenal in their concluding match, aiming to end their inaugural Champions League campaign on a positive note.