European dream Feyenoord unexpectedly continued after 1-1 draw against AC Milan

In a difficult duel, full of powerlessness and annoyance, the European dream unexpectedly continued. Not AC Milan will play in the eighth finals of the Champions League in two weeks, but Feyenoord, the club that is already eliminated for every price in its own country. After a 1-0 victory in-house, the Rotterdammers in Milan managed to turn an early goal into a draw.

Very sometimes the football from those evenings knows that logic does not apply for a while. That the transfer value of both teams, the status of the clubs, no longer seem to matter on the field. The double meeting between Feyenoord and Milan was such a moment. A meeting between a team full of star footballers and a gathered team, where many basic forces are missing due to injuries.

A week ago that led to a first surprise, barely two days after the resignation of head coach Brian Priske, due to dissatisfaction with football performance. A whirliger whet -winger Igor Paixão was, after three minutes, completely misjudged by goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The only goal that evening, although Feyenoord had a chance to win more towards the end.

So Feyenoord in Milan was no chance, thought interim trainer Pascal Bosschaart a day before the second meeting. Even though he knew that Milan was the favorite. That the Italians would play more energetic in their own home than in the Rotterdam Kuip, where it was raining and steady. Because also for Milan, the Champions League is almost the last chance to shine, in the competition the team is in no time.

Twice bad news

In the run -up to the away match, Bosschaart received bad news twice. First about Quinten Timber, one of the best a week earlier. He came down unhappy in that game and sustained a serious injury to his knee – the tenth injury in the selection. Just before the kick -off it became clear that attacker Julián Carranza could not start because of the flu.

So battered, Feyenoord starts what Bosschaart calls “the most important game of the season”. With Hugo Bueno on the site of Timber and the eighteen -year -old youth player Zépiqueno Redmond, his third basic place in the first team pass. Plus a ‘reasonable plan’, in the words of Bosschaart, in an attempt to use the forces of the players who were there as much as possible.

Milan played large parts of the game listless and haughty in Rotterdam, in -house the Italians seem to decide on Tuesday determining the game quickly. From the kick -off they immediately attack, while Feyenoord looks hesitantly, lets itself be pushed back and bluff it away by the home team. That leads to a goal for the home team after 39 seconds, made by former Feyenoorder Santiago Giménez.

It starts with an unnecessary corner, given away by doubting acts centrally in the back. It is played in the direction of Cristian Pulisic, who can give in his neighborhood despite two Feyenoorders. Beyond the goal, Malick Thiaw, who is completely free, puts the ball back with his head. Giménez jumps much higher than defender Thomas Beelen. After the goal, he apologizing his arms in the air, while his teammates moan him cheering.

If there is already a tipping point, theo Hernández will be ushered. He is visible to him that Milan became fatal a week earlier

For Milan it seems to be a simple evening. The Italians are constantly clamping Feyenoord just in front of their own goal, a second goal seems to be upcoming. With his speed, off -players Pulisic and Rafael Leão always pass the backs, by sagging shadow striker João Félix, plenty of space is created in the center. A shot from left back Theo Hernández ends up on the outside of the post.

Feyenoord creates little, and with the sparing moments that are there, the Rotterdammers are very careless. Such as when Redmond puts Beautiful Tijjani Reijnders off the ball, after which Antoni Milambo sends the fast Anis Hadj Moussa deep. His pass in depth is careless, after which Milan can switch again quickly.

Leisurity

If there is already a tipping point, it will be ushered by Milan-Back Hernández. He is regularly visible with him that Milan became fatal a week earlier. Such as when he gives a giviro reading right back on his head, if he is almost too fast during an action.

Just before half -time, Hernández gets a silly yellow card if, completely unnecessary, he pulls Hadj Moussa to the ground. Five minutes in the second half, the second follows: Hernández breaks through on the left, seeks the confrontation with Read and then goes without being hit. Referee Szymon Marciniak does not doubt: red.

Without left back, Milan has more difficulty putting pressure, and after an hour it leads to the first serious opportunities for Feyenoord. First Milambo misses, shortly thereafter it is hit by a pass from Bueno. Carranza, coming into the team for Redmond, comes for his husband and heads up close.

For example, Feyenoord in Europe surprises again, after previous stunts against Benfica, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. In the next round, the Rotterdammers meet Milans Stadgenoot Internazionale or Arsenal.

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