AC Milan crashed out of the 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.
The last-16 draw, to be held on Friday, will decide whether the Dutch club face Inter Milan or Arsenal next month.
Milan boss Sergio Conceicao said: “It’s a big defeat for me and I made many mistakes.
“I am responsible for this defeat. We should have been better on a mental level. This elimination is down to me, not Theo or anyone else. I’m the one who’s responsible – Theo has given a lot to Milan.”
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.
Milan struggles continue with upset
Once a powerhouse of European football, Milan have now only made it to the last 16 of the Champions League once since the 2013-14 season.
That was under Stefano Pioli, who led them to the semi-finals in 2022-23 and also helped them lift their first Serie A title in 11 years in 2022.
However, the Rossoneri have failed to hit those heights since Pioli left after a five-year spell at the end of last season, with former Porto boss Conceicao their second manager in this campaign after replacing Paulo Fonseca, who was sacked in December.
Conceicao took charge of the club with Milan eighth in the Serie A table and, although results have picked up recently, they are still in danger of missing out on European football next season.
Milan are currently one point behind sixth-placed Fiorentina, who occupy the spot for the Conference League play-off round, and five adrift of fourth-placed Juventus and a place in next season’s Champions League.
Despite having lifted the Italian Super Cup by beating Inter Milan shortly after his appointment, this disappointing early exit from the Champions League will pile further pressure on Conceicao.
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