It's another European Champions League night and for tonight's fixture, my focus is on the game between Girona and Liverpool. I have high hopes for Liverpool in this fixture because we've been in a very good Champions League run this season.
We also got to rest last weekend when our game against Everton got postponed. So, this particular fixture should be one that Liverpool have to win by all means. For the record, Alisson made his return from injury and is in the starting lineup for Liverpool.
Liverpool started the game like a team that's trying to obliterate their opponent. It was vintage Liverpool for the first 10 minutes. We controlled the game, created two good chances, and pressed the opponents. The only missing piece in that period was a goal.
Things balanced out afterward.
Girona started to walk back into the game and you could see them outrunning Liverpool's midfield. Our attacking players also couldn't effectively defend from the frontline. They forced Liverpool's defense to deal with a lot of attacking threats from their opponents.
Alisson pulled a bunch of saves at the back. Gomez and Robertson were also some notable mentions at that backline. Robertson, in particular, has been struggling this season. However, his defensive performance for the day looks quite solid.
After a good blend of chances created at both sides of the field, this half of the end ended as a goalless draw.
The second half was just like the performance we saw in the first half of the game. Both sides created decent goalscoring opportunities, but the finishing were poor. The goalkeepers on both sides were also very present, active, and putting everything on the line.
It took the winning of a penalty in the 59th minute of the game for the first and only goal of the game to be scored. It was a penalty that came from a tackle on Diaz. Liverpool protested, and the on-field referee decided to consult the VAR. His check lasted for just a few seconds before he awarded Liverpool the penalty.
Salah stepped up, scored, and got the lead for Liverpool.
The rest of the game was Liverpool's to win. We defended as a unit, made a few tactical substitutions, pressed for more goals without reckless desperation, and sealed the 3 points without leaving any room for jeopardy.
Now, we have secured a spot for the next round of Champions League fixtures.
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop or Comma.
Thumbnail Image is taken from Unsplash
Where have you been, bro?