Feyenoord scored a 1-0 home win over AC Milan on Wednesday (Feb 12) in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff. Milan will be hosting the return at San Siro on Tuesday with the aggregate winner progressing to the last 16. In another Champions League match on Wednesday night, Bruges beat Atalanta 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff. The Italian side is set to host Bruges next week, with the winner of the tie playing against Lille or Aston Villa in the championship's last 16.
Feyenoord claimed a 1-0 first-leg lead over AC Milan in their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off in Rotterdam.
Igor Paixao's early effort settled the contest for the hosts, with his low drive skipping off the wet surface to beat Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan at his near post. The Brazilian forward almost added a second before the break with a curling effort that cannoned the crossbar.
While the visitors improved after the interval, Feyenoord – who appointed Pascal Bosschaart as manager on Tuesday after parting ways with head coach Brian Priske – more than merited their victory.
It proved to be a disappointing evening for seven-time winners Milan, with head coach Sergio Conceicao appearing increasingly frustrated by his side's lacklustre display.
Milan, who did not name a single Italian player in their starting XI, only fleetingly threatened.
Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Santiago Gimenez and Joao Felix – who have been dubbed their 'Fab Four' – all struggled to influence proceedings and the home side had several opportunities to add to their advantage via swift counter attacks.
Having fallen to their fourth defeat this term in the competition, Conceicao's side will need to significantly improve in the return tie at the San Siro in six days, if they are to book a place in the last 16 against Inter Milan or Arsenal.
