Conceicao Rues Mistakes as AC Milan Knocked
out by Feyenoord

Milan, 19 Feb (ONA) — AC Milan
crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after being held to a draw by
Feyenoord in the second leg of their knockout play-off at San Siro Stadium.

The Italians wiped out a 1-0 deficit
in last week’s first leg after just 36 seconds as Santiago Gimenez netted
against his former club with the fastest goal in this season’s Champions
League.

But Milan full-back Theo Hernandez
was sent off in the 51st minute for two yellow cards and Feyenoord substitute
Julian Carranza headed in the decisive 73rd-minute goal to seal a 2-1 aggregate
success, BBC sports reported.

The last-16 draw, to be held on
Friday, will decide whether the Dutch club face Inter Milan or Arsenal next
month.

Seven-time European champions Milan
had the perfect start with Gimenez’s effort.

Christian Pulisic’s cross to the
back post was nodded back into the danger zone by Malick Thiaw for the Mexico
international to head home from close range for his sixth goal of the
competition – five of which came in Feyenoord colours before he left them in
the winter transfer window.

Conceicao’s side pushed for the
aggregate lead as Tijjani Reijnders and Joao Felix went close, before
Hernandez’s fierce strike cannoned off the upright in the 23rd minute.

Rafael Leao was denied by Timon
Wellenreuther in the closing stages of the first half and the Feyenoord
goalkeeper was also tested again early in the second half by Kyle Walker’s low
drive from the edge of the box.

The Dutch side, under interim
manager Pascal Bosschaart, were then handed a boost when Frenchman Hernandez
received a second booking for simulation six minutes after the restart.

Feyenoord capitalised on the
numerical advantage as Carranza met Hugo Bueno’s cross to plant a thumping
header past Milan captain Mike Maignan and send his side through to the last 16
of the premier European competition for the first time since 1974.

However, they will be without
Givairo Read for the last-16 tie as the right-back received a red card for
violent conduct when tensions flared between the sides after the final whistle.

— Ends/Khalid