“The first game in Girona’s history in Europe, in the Champions League, will be in Montilivi,” Míchel confessed before the game against Alavés this Friday. And he added: “I 100% want to play in Montilivi. I have spoken with the club, and they also want this. The fans are also clear about it.” He was convinced, and his feelings stopped being a dream, or a wish, but became reality: next year, the top European competition will be able to be played in the temple. gironí, which this year has emerged as a fortress for the team led by Míchel. In Montilivi, a temple for fans and players, only one defeat has been seen this season: that of Real Madrid, already League champion, on September 30.
This was confirmed by the club this Friday, and the debate on the possibility of playing the European matches in Barcelona dissipates, with the alternatives on the table of playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc or the Stage Front Stadium, the stadium of the Spanish. “Girona FC has received authorization from UEFA so that the Montilivi stadium can host Champions League matches next season 2024/25,” read the statement from the Catalan team. All this thanks to the club’s “significant” investments in modifying the facilities, reforms that the European body has already accepted and that will allow the field to meet the necessary requirements for the competition. At least four group stage matches will be played at the stadium gironí.
Montilivi will attend the Champions League matches
The European body has validated the Club’s proposed reforms that will ensure that the stadium meets the requested requirements.
— Girona FC (@GironaFC) May 10, 2024
For Míchel, in the run-up to Alavés, there was no room for doubt: “It is a situation that I do not contemplate. Playing away from home, without our people, is to weaken the sporting field. This year we have only lost against Real Madrid and it means that we have been very strong. Here the players have a special confidence. It is a point that we have to continue maintaining.” Once the League ends, improvement and adaptation works will begin so that Montilivi meets the requirements of the competition. The club has assured that it will inform the ticket purchase process later, especially taking into account that the capacity would be reduced by not being able to use extra stands, and would fall from around 14,000 currently to 9,000.
It had been less than a week since the Catalan club made history after qualifying for the Champions League mathematically for the first time after beating Barcelona and recovering second place in the League. And shortly after it is confirmed that they will be able to play at home, with the warmth of the fans and the company of their Girona. A season that has not ended, but is already a dream for Míchel’s team.
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