AC Milan faced disappointment as they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Dutch side Feyenoord following a hard-fought two-legged play-off. Despite taking the lead early on at their home ground, the Italian giants couldn't maintain their advantage and succumbed to the pressure of playing with ten men for much of the second half.
The decisive moment came during the return match at Milan's iconic San Siro stadium. Milan's Santiago Gimenez made headlines when he scored just one minute after kick-off, giving the home team hope with his header from a corner. This early goal leveled the aggregate score, which had seen Feyenoord triumph 1-0 during the first leg.
With the match strongly poised at 1-0 to Milan, things took a turn for the worse when Theo Hernandez was shown his second yellow card for simulation, rendering Milan down to ten players just five minutes after half-time. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum firmly in Feyenoord's favor.
Utilizing their extra man, Feyenoord capitalized on their numerical advantage and found the equalizer through Julián Carranza, who scored with a header of his own after 73 minutes. The match ended at 1-1, and with Feyenoord's 1-0 win from the first leg, they advanced to the next round with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
This elimination marks another chapter of struggle for AC Milan on the European stage, raising questions about their tactical approach against teams like Feyenoord. The inability to hold their lead and maintain composure under pressure has left fans disheartened.
Notably, the encounter highlighted the contrasting styles of play, with Milan’s initial bright start eventually overshadowed by tactical missteps and disciplinary issues. The aftermath of the match sees Feyenoord look forward to the next stage where they await either Inter Milan or Arsenal, who will be determined during the upcoming draw on February 21.
AC Milan's exit from the UEFA Champions League symbolizes the challenges faced by top-tier clubs, often coming from unexpected losses, and underlines the unpredictability of knockout competitions.