Feyenoord triumphs with a 1-0 victory over Milan in the first leg, thanks to Paixão’s decisive strike. Discover the match highlights and analysis.
A Night of Passion and Precision in Rotterdam
Feyenoord fans were in full voice as their side delivered a disciplined and efficient display to take a vital win over AC Milan in their UEFA Champions League knockout stage encounter. A frenetic Dutch performance saw the Italians pipped, with a combination of tactical awareness, defensive solidity, and attacking craft the difference.
Fofana Sparks Early Threat but Feyenoord Strike First
The match began at a frenetic pace, with both teams demonstrating intent. Fofana latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Milan half and played in Christian Pulišić, who embarked on a thunderous run deep into the Feyenoord half. The American international played in a neat ball to Tijjani Reijnders, whose first-time effort tested the home goalkeeper Wellenreuther. The shot had power but was at a comfortable height for the Feyenoord custodian, who gathered it on the second attempt.
See also: Milan Derby Ends in Dramatic 1-1 Draw against Inter
Less than 20 seconds on from that Milan chance, Feyenoord struck back ruthlessly. Smal played in Igor Paixão with a simple lay-off, allowing the Brazilian winger to cut inside the box. With a crisp, right-footed effort that skidded along the turf, Paixão beat Mike Maignan at his near post. The Milan keeper dived to it but could only parry the ball into the roof of the net. The De Kuip erupted as Feyenoord took an early lead, galvanizing them to take greater control.
Midfield Battle: Feyenoord Take Control
From then on, the hosts’ intensity never faltered. The combination of Antoni Milambo and Jakub Moder were a force to be reckoned with in the midfield battle, affording Milan no time on the ball. Their high-pressing and rapid changes of direction from side to side gave Milan’s midfield no time to get into their customary rhythm.
AC Milan’s attack, led by their much-hyped ‘Fab Four’ of Rafael Leão, Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulišić, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, was kept at bay by organized Feyenoord defending and the acrobatic reflexes of Wellenreuther.
Milan Struggle for Openings, Paixão Nearly Doubles the Lead
Although they controlled the game, Feyenoord were conscious that they needed to double their lead in order to gain complete control of the game. Paixão, already in good spirits after his earlier goal, nearly gave them a second breathtaking goal. Captain Quinten Timber selected him in space down the left flank, and the Brazilian had no hesitation in playing the ball inside and unleashing a dipping, curling shot that thudded against the top of the crossbar. An inch lower, and he would have scored one of the goals of the tournament.
Milan’s first half chance of note came from João Félix. The Portuguese striker seized on a Feyenoord clearance just inside the box, using nimble footwork to beat Milambo before unleashing a powerful shot towards Wellenreuther’s near post. The Feyenoord keeper was quickly to his feet and denied the ball from finding its way in.
Half-Time: A Deserved Feyenoord Lead
With the teams heading into the interval, the hosts rightfully had their one-goal lead. Their attacking threat, discipline, and intensity had left Milan dazed, whose own attacking talismans had yet to be felt. Though not for the lack of trying, with only a single goal between the two teams, the game was still precariously in the balance.
Milan Press On, But Feyenoord Remain Rock-Solid
AC Milan came back out for the second half with a resolve to shift the momentum. Timber’s slide-rule pass opened up Milan’s defense, and a substitute was given an opening, but Pavlović’s recovery sent him too wide, and his shot dribbled out for a goal kick.
Paixão was still a thorn in Feyenoord’s flesh, and he nearly created one of the season’s goals with a flashy long-range gamble. After gaining possession near the halfway line, he played Maignan off his line and went for a speculative hop from range. The strike was ambitious but flew wide, saving Milan further damage.
Late Milan Pressure, But Feyenoord Resist
As the clock ticked away, Milan finally began to turn up the heat in attack. A João Félix corner caused chaos in the Feyenoord box, with the action being taken up by substitute Samuel Chukwueze on the fringes. The Nigerian winger took a touch before curling a neat, left-footed shot towards goal, but Wellenreuther was once again equal to it, holding on to the ball with Abraham waiting for any chance to pounce.
With Milan pressing forward in stoppage time, the Feyenoord defense remained in their shape. Wellenreuther made one final intervention, easily collecting a skidding attempt from Félix, ensuring that Feyenoord’s lead remained secure until the final whistle.
A Night to Remember for Feyenoord
And as the final whistle went, De Kuip erupted in ecstasy. Feyenoord had produced a show of grit, intelligence, and class to secure a crucial first-leg triumph. It was a night Paixão wrote his name in the annals of the club’s history as the first Feyenoord player to score in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds, while the defensive solidity and midfield tenacity of the team ensured Milan never found their stride.
Milan, however, will be returning to the drawing board, realizing that they will need to be far sharper in the second leg if they are to turn things around and save their European dream.