Feyenoord Edge Past AC Milan with Narrow First-Leg Victory in Champions League Knockout

Rotterdam, 13 Feb 2025 – Feyenoord secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off at De Kuip Stadium, giving themselves a crucial advantage ahead of the return fixture in Milan.

Paixao’s Early Strike Seals Feyenoord’s Victory

The decisive moment of the match came early on when Igor Paixao fired a low-driven shot that skidded off the wet turf, beating Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan at his near post. The Brazilian forward came close to doubling the lead before halftime, but his well-placed curling effort struck the crossbar, keeping the visitors in contention.

Feyenoord, who recently appointed Pascal Bosschaart as their new manager after parting ways with Brian Priske, looked sharp and disciplined throughout the match. Their solid defensive structure and swift counter-attacks kept Milan under pressure, preventing the Italian giants from settling into their rhythm.

Milan Struggle to Make an Impact

Despite possessing a wealth of attacking talent, Milan’s forward line – including Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Santiago Gimenez, and Joao Felix – struggled to break down Feyenoord’s resolute defense. The seven-time Champions League winners rarely tested Feyenoord’s goalkeeper, failing to create clear-cut chances in a frustrating night for head coach Sergio Conceicao.

Adding to Milan’s woes, their starting lineup did not feature a single Italian player, a rare occurrence for the historic club. As the match progressed, frustration grew on the visitors’ bench, with Conceicao visibly disappointed by his team’s lack of attacking intensity.

A Crucial Second Leg Awaits

With this result, Feyenoord head into the second leg at San Siro with a slender but vital lead. Milan, on the other hand, will need a much-improved performance in front of their home fans if they are to overturn the deficit and advance to the Round of 16, where they could potentially face Inter Milan or Arsenal.

As the return fixture looms in six days, all eyes will be on whether Feyenoord can maintain their advantage or if Milan can stage a comeback to keep their European dreams alive.

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