Portugal winger Leao lashed in his eighth goal of the season after some dazzling dribbling in the 37th minute at the San Siro to give Milan their fifth straight win in the competition.

Sergio Conceicao’s team are sixth on 15 points after seven matches and are guaranteed at least a spot in the play-offs, as well as having a great chance of a top-eight finish with their final league phase fixture at Dinamo Zagreb.

Leao’s goal was reward for a fine individual display from a player who has the reputation for drifting in and out of matches and had a poor relationship with Conceicao’s predecessor Paulo Fonseca.

“It was a big match for us in terms of getting through… that’s our objective, to go through to the next round (directly),” said Leao to Prime Video.

“We’re starting to understand what the coach wants from us… He’s trying to help me as a man and as a player and I’m trying to get to grips with what he wants from me.”

Girona’s maiden Champions League campaign will go no further than the visit of Arsenal next week as Michel’s team are seven points from the play-offs and as a result eliminated.

La Liga outfit Girona would have come away from northern Italy with more had it not been for Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who pulled off three superb saves late in the first half to keep the hosts ahead.

Conceicao demanded more hunger from his players after Milan slumped to defeat at rivals Juventus at the weekend, and the Serie A team deserved the win against a backdrop of frustrated fans again chanting for American owners RedBird to sell the club.

“We’re in a transitional period, there’s still lots of work to do,” said Conceicao.

“Some things are going well, other things not so well. That’s part of my job with the boys. But tonight the result is the most important thing.”

Maignan to rescue

The hosts should have already been ahead before the 24th minute, when Theo Hernandez somehow didn’t score after being laid on for a sitter by Leao.