Feyenoord vs. AC Milan: UCL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Feyenoord will welcome AC Milan to De Kuip for the first leg of their playoff on Wednesday, having their much-awaited Champions League knockout round debut.

Last meeting the seven-time continental winners in 1970, the Rotterdam club advanced from a European Cup encounter and raised the trophy; this time, the victor will face either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the last 16.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Having finished 19th in the first league round, Feyenoord is into the knockout stages of Europe's premier club tournament for the first time since 1985, thus optimizing UEFA's new structure.

Though the Dutch team also endured a 6-1 beating by Lille, an intriguing season was headed by a stunning 3-0 loss to German heavyweights Bayern Munich, including a thrilling 3-3 draw away to Manchester City.

Though of the 24 clubs to advance, they surrendered the most, Brian Priske's side nearly assured excitement throughout their eight games; only games played by Barcelona saw more goals.

After Feyenoord had gone undefeated over the previous sixteen, home losses by Bayer Leverkusen and Red Bull Salzburg also make three losses from Feyenoord's past six European games at De Kuip.

Without previous manager Arne Slot this season, last term's Eredivisie runners-up had struggled; new coach Priske was on the point of being terminated until their outstanding victory against Bayern.

Recently, despite their worst domestic run for nine years, they lost Der Klassieker to fierce rivals Ajax and were eliminated from the KNVB Beker by league officials PSV Eindhoven.

With only two clean sheets from their past 15 games, only Saturday's 3-0 Derby triumph over Sparta Rotterdam stopped an annoying four-match winless run in the Eredivisie.

Under such conditions, at least history will be on their side when Milan visits Feyenoord: just one of 11 home games with Italian clubs - a 2-1 loss to long-time rivals Roma precisely a decade ago.

Four more failed efforts followed; Milan's last triumph against Dutch opponents returned in 2008; nevertheless, an overdue win on Wednesday would position them strictly for next week's visit.

Although they have many years of European experience, the Italian giants are into the knockout phases of UEFA's premier competition for only a second time in the previous 11 seasons, having finished two points and six places better than Feyenoord.

Milan recovered from consecutive losses, overcame strong Real Madrid, among others, and had a coveted top-eight place going into the penultimate matchday; however, defeat to Dinamo Zagreb saw them slide down the rankings and lose out on automatic entrance to the last 16.

Coach Sergio Conceicao, who raised the Supercoppa Italiana within a week of his mid-season visit, might regret that slip-up in Croatia as his new team has a poor away record in the Champions League's elimination round.

With only three goals in the past ten, the Rossoneri have failed to win any of their last 11 away games in the knockout stages, even though they made it to the semi-finals - finally leaving to city rivals Inter, who they might encounter again in this year's campaign.

Moreover, Conceicao was appointed to inspire a gifted but erratic team: this year, they rank seventh after placing within Serie A's top two three times in four seasons.

Goals from substitutes Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez, the latter making his league debut after joining from Feyenoord, will now quickly return to De Kuip won 10-man Milan a 2-0 victory over Empoli.

Though it was just their second clean sheet in 12 games, coming days after a 3-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final triumph over Roma will provide Conceicao plenty to draw on.

Feyenoord x AC Milan Team News

Feyenoord's absence list could stay the same because Brian Priske has all but ruled out Austrian defender Gernot Trauner for a third straight game, and numerous other players have also been injured.

Once again expected to deputize for injury-plagued custodian Justin Bijlow is Timon Wellenreuther; Calvin Stengs, Chris-Kevin Nadje, and Ramiz Zerrouki will also miss out.

Better news for struggling coach Brian Priske: left-back Quilindschy Hartman just recovered from a significant knee injury and played on Saturday; January acquisition Jakub Moder has also been registered for the knockout stages.

During the league phase, only Atalanta BC's Charles De Ketelaere earned more assists than Brazilian striker Igor Paixao (four), who should help either Ayase Ueda or Julian Carranza up front.

Paixao has five Champions League goals this season; only Santiago Gimenez, who averages one goal every 59 minutes, has managed more for Feyenoord (six).

Following 65 strikes in 105 games for the Dutch team across all events, the latter will now compete with Tammy Abraham to lead Milan's assault at De Kuip.

An essential component of the Rossoneri's front line, Christian Pulisic should start after he scored four times during the league phase, already more than any American player in one Champions League campaign.

Apart from Gimenez, the guests have strengthened their roster with Kyle Walker, Joao Felix, Riccardo Sottil, and Warren Bondo; however, the latter three have not registered with UEFA.

Injury rules out Emerson Royal (calf), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (thigh), and Alessandro Florenzi (knee); Pulisic's international teammate Yunus Musah must serve a suspension.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 3.60 on Sky247.ng

Feyenoord has been struggling; Milan is not at their best away from San Siro. Hence, a score draw might result from an intriguing first leg. If this tie remains in the balance, both sides will discover the net against a questionable opponent defending.

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