AC Milan defeats Girona 1-0, secures fifth Champions League win

AC Milan secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Girona in the Champions League, with Rafael Leao scoring the only goal of the match in the first half. This win marked Milan's fifth consecutive victory in the competition, a feat not achieved in 20 years, and propelled them into the top eight, enhancing their chances of automatic qualification for the Round of 16. Despite some early injuries, Milan dominated the game but faced a scare when Girona's potential equalizer was ruled offside. Coach Sergio Conceicao acknowledged the need for improvement in the team's performance, especially in maintaining focus during the second half. The victory also highlighted Leao's importance to the team, as he scored his third goal in three appearances, becoming the first Milan player to do so since Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Girona's elimination from the tournament reflects a disappointing campaign, as they became the second team to lose all four of their away matches without scoring a goal.