Feyenoord have a big job on their hands ahead of the return leg against AC Milan, with the Rotterdam side taking an advantage to San Siro.
AC Milan will have rued their opportunities in Rotterdam in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff against Feyenoord, as a Mike Maignan error allowed Igor Paixao to score the only goal in that game. The result puts pressure on Sergio Conceicao ahead of the second leg at San Siro, as the Rossoneri have a big task to do to turn this tie around.
The first leg was coined as the Santiago Gimenez derby following the striker’s swift return to his old stomping grounds. While he did not score or help Milan in the attacking third in Rotterdam, the Mexican was instrumentainternational l at the weekend as he scored the only goal in the Rossoneri’s win over Hellas Verona.
The pressure will be on Gimenez, his teammates and most certainly Conceicao ahead of the crucial second leg at San Siro. There is a wider expectation for the Rossoneri to make it to the round of 16, although to get there, Milan must overcome a first-leg deficit to put in a magnificent performance, and to do that, they have capable players.
Feyenoord made the strange decision to sack manager Brian Priske just two days before their first-leg clash with AC Milan. Temporary head coach Pascal Bosschaart made himself big with a win against the Serie A outfit, as he will have a big task to ensure the Rotterdam giants go through at San Siro.
The Eredivisie giants are in an indifferent position in their domestic league, where they are fourth as things stand and pretty far off the top two Champions League spots. They suffered another blow at the weekend with a goalless draw away from home against NAC Breda, which has further dented their hopes domestically.
Hence, Feyenoord must go the distance in the Champions Leagues and benefit financially from the competition, as they are unlikely to make it back into the mix for next season. So, they need to take the lead to San Siro and preserve to make it into the next round.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
AC Milan have not seen any fresh problems since the first leg in Rotterdam, as only Alessandro Florenzi, Piere Kalulu, and Emerson Royal are definitely out of the second leg. Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains in significant doubt and might go through an assessment before his fate for the second leg is determined, although there are more chances of him missing out.
Conceicao is likely to name a familiar lineup for the second leg, and there will probably be some changes from the personnel that played over the weekend. Moreover, Conceicao will have Yunus Musah back from a suspension, meaning he could have a place in the main setup.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are expected to come back into the starting eleven, while Joao Felix and former Feyenoord man Santiago Gimenez are set to keep their places in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Felix, Leao; Gimenez
Feyenoord
The less they said about Feyenoord’s injury problems, the better, as the first leg brought fresh problems for the Rotterdam side ahead of the weekend and the return leg at San Siro.
As many as nine first-team stars are missing through injury, while Quilindschy Hartman is ineligible for the Rotterdam side. So, Gijs Smal is likely to take his place in the defensive setup. The fresh problems have come in the form of captain Quinten Timber and Ayase Ueda, who were taken off in that first leg encounter.
In addition to the duo, key stars like Hwang In-beom, Chris-Kevin Nadje, Calvin Stengs, Bart Nieuwkoop, Ramiz Zerrouki, Jordan Lotomba, Justin Bijlow, and Gernot Trauner are all missing from action. Hence, the manager will have to select from the available players, and Pascal Bosschaart will use a 4-2-3-1 shape against AC Milan.
Timon Wellenreuther will continue to deputise in goal for Feyenoord, with a back four in front of him comprising Givairo Read, Thomas Beelen, David Hancko, and Gijs Smal. Jakub Moder and Antoni Milambo will be stationed in central midfield. Anis Hadj Moussa, Luka Ivanusec, and Igor Paixao will form the attacking trio in front behind striker Julian Carranza.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Milambo; Moussa, Ivanusec, Paixao; Carranza
Key Stats
- AC Milan are unbeaten in 12 home games.
- AC Milan have only progressed from one of their last six Champions League knockout ties when losing the first leg.
- Feyenoord have failed to win their last five away games.
- Feyenoord have not kept a clean sheet away from home in the proper Champions League since September 2002.
- Igor Paixao has been involved in eight goal-ending sequences of play in the UEFA Champions League this season, with Raphinha (13) being the only winger who has taken part in more in 2024/25.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
Once again, this game will focus on Santiago Gimenez following his ties with former side Feyenoord, and the striker came through with the goods over the weekend, scoring the winner against Hellas Verona. However, AC Milan need another hero, and Sergio Conceicao may not look beyond the idea of Leao to get the Rossoneri a win in this game.
Leao will need to step up his game and land in a top-draw performance to see Milan through, although the Italian club have a dreadful record in knockout games in the competition when losing the first leg. Hence, there are many things to correct, and they will hope the Portuguese forward finds his best form in a game of this magnitude.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 Feyenoord
The Rotterdam side are reeling from massive injury issues and will name a further depleted side compared to the one that won the first leg. While they have a slender lead to protect, Feyenoord will likely look to protect it rather than add to the advantage, which may end up playing into AC Milan’s hands.
Milan want to progress in this competition, especially in the round of 16 and have the right players to make it happen. The Rossoneri will likely take advantage of the game state as well as the injuries at Feyenoord to register a big win and keep a clean sheet at San Siro to advance into the next round. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Sergio Conceicao and his charges.
