Champions League: Arsenal’s opponents Girona set unwanted competition record as fans claim ‘they’re cursed’
GIRONA set an unwanted Champions League record during their clash with Feyenoord last night.
The Catalan side lost 3-2 to the Dutch giants in their first ever Champions League match on home soil.
Girona’s team sheet featured a host of names that will be familiar to British football fans.
Former Manchester United star Donny van de Beek started in midfield, with Tottenham loanee Bryan Gil and former Spurs stopper Paulo Gazzaniga also in the XI.
Summer signing from Aberdeen Bojan Miovski got the nod up top, while ex-Tottenham, Everton and Bournemouth ace Arnut Danjuma came off the bench alongside former Championship duo Yaser Asprilla and Cristhian Stuani.
Girona began their Champions League campaign a fortnight ago with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
The tournament debutants held their own until the 90th minute, when Gazzaniga scored a nightmare own goal.
In last night’s 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord, Girona scored two further own goals – setting an unwanted record in the process.
Michel’s men had actually taken the lead on 19 minutes, when David Lopez scored their first ever Champions League goal.
But they were pegged back just four minutes later, with Yangel Herrera turning into his own net.
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This moment saw Girona become the first side to ever concede own goals in each of their opening two games in the competition.
It also saw them become the first team to have their first two Champions League concessions be via own goals.
Remarkably, more records would tumble as the extraordinary encounter progressed.
Teenager Antoni Milambo put the visitors 2-1 in front on 33 minutes, before Feyenoord were awarded a penalty just moments later.
Having given the ball away in the build-up to the spot kick, Gazzaniga made amends by saving Ayase Ueda’s subsequent effort.
Girona thought they’d levelled just after half-time, only for their goal to be disallowed for an offside in the build-up.
They then spurned a huge opportunity on 67 minutes, with Miovski this time being denied from the penalty spot.
The home faithful did finally have an equaliser to cheer on 73 minutes, however, when Van de Beek converted following good work by his Dutch compatriot Danjuma.
Incredibly, Girona gifted Feyenoord their lead back just six minutes later, with Ladislav Krejci this time turning into his own net.
The Czech international’s nightmare moment saw the match become the first in Champions League history to feature two missed penalties and two own goals.
Try as they might, Girona could not conjure another equaliser, with Feyenoord winning a bonkers encounter 3-2.
Amazingly, the memorable match was watched by under 10,000 fans.
That’s because due to Uefa rules, Girona were forced to operate with a reduced capacity.
Their Estadi Montilivi home usually holds 14,624 spectators.
But Uefa competitions ban temporary structures, thus reducing the stadium’s capacity by more than 5,000 seats.
This rule will also be in effect when Arsenal visit Girona.
The two sides are set to meet in Catalonia on January 29.