Milan trudged onto the pitch with determination and character but trudged out with their heads low in shame. The 1-1 draw with Feyenoord at San Siro ensured the Italian team's Champions League elimination and assured the Dutch team of qualification into the Round of 16. A match that had started with energy and showed much promise for the home team completely collapsed after a fatal mistake by Theo Hernández. Now, though, Feyenoord is on its march in the tournament, and Milan must swallow yet another continental setback.
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Milan did everything right... until they didn't
The beginning was raw domination. Physical dominance, high pressure, and a dazzlingly fast goal that illuminated San Siro. Only 41 seconds into the game had Giménez made the infamous "ex-player rule" reward him with a header to leave Milan precisely where they needed to be: in charge of the game and a stadium singing their name. Feyenoord absorbed the blow, stepped back, and simply watched as the Italian team made chances but failed to add to the lead.
By that time, Milan appeared to be going on a smooth ride to the next round. But as they say, those who don't capitalize on their opportunities tend to pay the price. That second goal never arrived, and gradually the script wrote one of those sour endings.
The breaking point
The second half began with a gradual decrease in intensity but still very much under Milan's management. Until, in the 51st minute, disaster for Milan was committed by Theo Hernández. Already on a yellow, the full-back staged a penalty in a foolish bid to cheat the referee and was given a second yellow. Red card.
That was when it all began to fall apart. Reduced to ten players, Milan lost their cutting edge, began leaving gaps, and watched Feyenoord gain confidence. In the 73rd minute, the coup de grâce was administered. Julián Carranza, who had replaced a substitute himself, found himself on his own in the box and headed the ball firmly into the net. 1-1. The silence at San Siro said it all.
Milan pushed and played with commitment, overwhelmed the box with crosses, but the ball simply would not cross the goal line. At last, the final whistle sealed the early elimination for the Italians and left Feyenoord one of the top 16 in Europe.
Feyenoord played efficiently and opportunistic
As Milan held the possession but failed to capitalize, Feyenoord were resolute and precise. The Dutch side weathered the storm, held their ground, and exploited their numerical advantage whenever presented with an opportunity.
Giménez did his part in the early stages, but it was Carranza who sealed the qualification. His arrival changed the nature of the match, and he exploited Milan's defense losing a gear to ensure Feyenoord's qualification for the next round.
Now the Dutch wait for the draw of the Round of 16, where they could be drawn with Arsenal or Inter Milan. The mission will not be easy, but having beaten a giant like Milan, Feyenoord has demonstrated that they can play with anyone.
And Milan? What remains of this elimination?
For the fans of Milan, frustration is inevitable. The team played an excellent first half, was in control, but lost at the worst possible moment. Milan received a harsh blow and will have to withstand serious criticism, especially on the question of Theo Hernández's sending off.
The French full-back, a regular in the team, risked the qualification with his careless approach. Individual mistakes are costly in major matches, and this was the perfect example of that.
Apart from that, it raises the question of Milan's inability to possess a clinical finisher. The team set up opportunities, entered threatening areas, but without an actual goal scorer, all those numbers are nothing but empty figures.