Feyenoord moved closer to the Champions League round of 16 after a 1-0 win over Milan in Rotterdam. Brazilian Igor Paixão was the star, taking advantage of a goalkeeper error by Maignan early in the game, making the Dutch side's lead for the second leg. Feyenoord now needs a draw to proceed, while Milan needs to win by two or more goals to qualify outright. If Milan were to win by a single goal, the game would go into extra time and, if still required, a penalty shootout.
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The game had some dramatic moments, particularly in the first half, with opportunities on both sides. Milan went forward, attempted to create openings, and even struck the crossbar, but was thwarted by Feyenoord's defense. In the second half, Italians looked for solutions on the substitutes' bench, brought more offense players on to the field but were unable to break through into their opponent's defense. Currently, they need a flawless show at San Siro to avoid an early dismissal from Europe's biggest club competition.
Milan concedes a first-minute goal and is left unable to catch up
The game had barely started when Feyenoord showed its attacking intent. Smal played a pinpoint cross at 3 minutes, and Igor Paixão was the one who benefited from Maignan's error. The French goalie's error was a gift to the Dutch side, and they became more confident in front of their home crowd after the early start.
Milan then tried to respond. In the 7th minute, Reijnders fired from distance, and Wellenreuther was forced to save it. In the 18th minute, João Félix took a long shot in an effort to catch Feyenoord's goalkeeper unawares, but to no avail. The Italians kept going forward, but the Dutch defense was solid.
With the advantage, Feyenoord was not deterred. Igor Paixão nearly scored again at 40 minutes, and his shot from afar bounced off the crossbar. The first half was with the Dutch side in front, and Milan annoyed at being unable to be effective enough in front of the goal.
Milan pushes on but fails to break through Feyenoord's defense
In the second period, Milan coach Sérgio Conceição brought on substitutes to give more teeth to his side. At 60 minutes, he brought on Tomori and Chukwueze to give the side fresh legs. Before that, at 57 minutes, Gimenez had a good opportunity with his header but the Milan defense saw off the danger.
Chukwueze came close to making a contribution at 62 minutes, when he tried to score with a long-range effort, but Wellenreuther was vigilant and saved it. Feyenoord continued to search for the counter-attacks and nearly added to its lead at 76 minutes, but Pavlović cleared the ball off the line.
Milan wagered everything on it at the end. Conceição brought on Abraham and Camarda to provide attacking strength to the team, but the Italian squad was still jammed against the Dutch defensive wall. The final whistle sealed an acrid loss for Milan, which will have to play otherworldly in front of their own fans in order to advance.
Sérgio Conceição analyzes the game and is looking ahead to the second leg
At the conclusion of the match, Milan trainer Sérgio Conceição graded his squad and indicated how they found playing against Feyenoord difficult.
"We don't have too many options: there are 15 outfield players to call upon, because of injury and not being with the Champions League squad, and the young ones. Coaches must find the solutions. We play eleven players; balance is derived from the entire team. We want to play well and balance out: it's not that if you've got plenty of attacking players, you score more goals, and plenty of defenders, you don't lose any. There are moments in each game, and we require that balance."
The coach also spoke about his belief in the defensive unit: "I believe in all of them, and I have four players who make me feel very confident. Any combination can play well; they have good character. I want a high defensive line; they know what to do and what we are trying to correct. They have my confidence."
Conceição was also asked about his future in the club and his outlook.
"It's about the outcome. The coaches are always booked and ready to travel because, as we know in football, things change rapidly. It's our job to concern ourselves with what is going on right now because it's on which the future depends. That is not concerning me. At Porto, even there, they told me I would be there for three or four months and yet I was there for seven years."
Lastly, he stressed the significance of the second leg and Milan's duty to change things around.
"It's a special game for everyone. It's not only crucial, and we're here because of our own mistake — we could have already qualified in the round of 16. We want to be responsible for that. The new coach brings various motivations to the team. It's a Champions League game at a historically challenging stadium. I played there three years ago with Porto. It's a hostile, intense, and hot environment. We have problems too, with some players out of commission. We will write history in this game because our fate is in our hands. If we go onto the field with the correct attitude, doing what we trained, then we'll have a chance to achieve a good result."
It all hinges in San Siro
With defeat in the first leg, Milan now relies on a crucial home match. The Italian team will have to play their best to overcome the gap and reach the Champions League round of 16. Feyenoord, on the other hand, admits that a draw will do, but is eagerly waiting to battle tooth and nail in Milan.
San Siro will host a match that will determine the destiny of Milan's season. The answer lies on the pitch.