AC Milan Falls to Feyenoord in UEFA Champions League Playoff First Leg

2025-03-01

AC Milan suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Feyenoord in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Rotterdam. The match, played in challenging weather conditions, saw Feyenoord take an early lead through Igor Paixão, whose long-range effort was mishandled by AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, resulting in a costly error.

Feyenoord, despite being without 12 players due to injuries and having recently appointed interim manager Pascal Bosschaart, delivered a disciplined and organized performance. Paixão was a standout player, causing constant trouble for Milan’s defense and even hitting the crossbar with another ambitious attempt. The Dutch side managed to control much of the game, limiting Milan’s attacking opportunities and maintaining their slender advantage.

AC Milan, under head coach Sérgio Conceição, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leão, and João Félix were largely ineffective, and the team failed to create significant chances. The absence of Yunus Musah due to suspension further disrupted Milan’s midfield balance.

The result leaves Milan with a challenging task in the second leg at the San Siro, where they must overturn the deficit to advance in the competition. Feyenoord, meanwhile, will aim to build on their impressive performance and secure a spot in the next round. The return leg promises to be a high-stakes encounter as both teams vie for a place in the Champions League knockout stages.