Milan 1-1 Feyenoord Player Ratings: Carranza’s bullet header cancels out Gimenez’s first-minute goal as the Dutch side enter RO16

Milan vs Feyenoord ended in a 1-1 draw under the lights at a packed San Siro in the second leg of the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League. The aggregate score favoured the Dutch side 2-1, who overcame a tough couple of weeks to progress to the next round.

Dealing with the sacking of former manager Brian Priske just before the first leg was no mean feat, but they held their own and carried a one-goal advantage into this game. It took Milan under a minute to wipe that advantage out as Malick Thiaw assisted Santiago Gimenez for the opening goal.

Rafael Leao seemed determined to overturn the tie in the opening exchanges as he caused Feyenoord’s defenders several problems in the first half. Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic also had some good moments but failed to take their chances in the first half. The visitors showed great fight and stayed in the contest until midway through the second half.

Substitute Julian Carranza made a huge impact on the outcome of the match with a decisive header after getting on the end of Hugo Bueno’s cross. He timed his jump to perfection and at one point it looked as though his header would smash the crossbar. However, the ball brushed the underside of the bar and left Mike Maignan with no chance of stopping it.

Apart from the goals, two major talking points from the match were the two red cards shown by referee Szymon Marciniak. After gaining much acclaim in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he has regularly featured in high-profile matches. He booked Theo Hernandez for a foul late in the first half, before showing him a second yellow just five minutes into the second period for simulating a dive to try and win a penalty.

The Frenchman showed utter shock on his face but the lack of much defence from his teammates to the referee was a clear indication of Hernandez’s guilt. At the time of his sending-off, the scores were still 1-1 on aggregate, but being down by a man put Milan under great pressure and they crumbled shortly after.

The second red card was shown to Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read for a moment of brain fade, but surprisingly, after the match was over. He was involved in a melee with Milan players and the referee brandished the red card for the second time in a tie that ended in a heated manner.

However, Milan crashed out after a valiant effort to make it through but will rue their missed chances on home soil as they failed to capitalize. Feyenoord, on the other hand, live to see another day in the Champions League and will hope the ‘new manager bounce’ will help them even more as the competition progresses.

Having said that, let’s take a look at Milan vs Feyenoord Player Ratings.

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Milan Player Ratings

GK – Mike Maignan – 6.5/10

The Milan skipper had very little to do in goal and did not have any saves to make. He played four long balls.

RB – Kyle Walker – 7/10

Walker had a decent game in defence as he made four clearances, one interception and one tackle. He also played two key passes.

CB – Malick Thiaw – 8/10

Thiaw was Milan’s best player on the pitch and assisted their goal. He also won two duels, played one key pass and made one interception.

CB – Strahinja Pavlovic – 7.5/10

Pavlovic was ever-present in Milan’s defence as he won eight duels, making two interceptions, two tackles and one clearance.

LB – Theo Hernandez – 5.5/10

Hernandez had a decent first half and played some lovely passes, including his involvement in Milan’s first-minute goal. However, he picked up a booking just before the break and was sent off in the 51^st minute for a second yellow for simulation.

CM – Yunus Musah – 7.5/10

A winger tasked with playing in midfield, Musah showed why his coach’s decision was the right one with his quick footwork. Musah won six duels and made two interceptions.

CM – Tijjani Reijnders – 7/10

Reijnders put in a composed performance in midfield with 93% passing accuracy and two duels won.

CAM – Joao Felix – 7.5/10

Felix had a good game and also several chances to score but failed to find the right connection with the ball. He also won nine duels and played one key pass.

RW – Christian Pulisic – 7/10

Pulisic did well on the right flank as he played three key passes and won three duels. He also put in defensive effort, winning two duels and making one tackle.

LW – Rafael Leao – 7/10

Leao attempted one shot on target, won eight duels and wreaked havoc on the left flank early in the first half but Milan failed to capitalize on his passes into the box.

ST – Santiago Gimenez – 7.5/10

Gimenez made an electric start against his former club with a headed goal in the first minute. He won four duels, played two key passes and attempted another off-target shot.

SUB – Davide Bartesaghi – 7/10

He replaced Pulisic and put in a decent cameo in the second half.

SUB – Youssouf Fofana – 6.5/10

He replaced Gimenez in a move to give the hosts more solidity in midfield but it did not work.

SUB – Samuel Chukwueze – N/A

SUB – Tammy Abraham – N/A

Manager – Sergio Conceicao – 7/10

He set his team up well for this game but they were unable to execute the plan and bowed out of the competition.

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Feyenoord Player Ratings

GK – Timon Wellenreuther – 8/10

He had a great game in goal for Feyenoord as he made six saves to keep his team in the hunt despite scores being level on aggregate until the 73^rd minute.

RB – Givairo Read – 6.5/10

Read played a decent game as he won nine duels, making seven tackles and two clearances. He struggled with Leao in the first half but managed him well in the second period, and was shown a red card after the match was over.

CB – Thomas Beelen – 6/10

Beelen failed to win a single duel in defence, but made seven clearances.

CB – David Hancko – 7.5/10

The Feyenoord skipper was active in defence as he won one duel, making five clearances, two blocks, one interception and one tackle. He also played one key pass.

LB – Gijs Smal – 6.5/10

Smal made two clearances and one tackle in defence. He was unable to provide any good value for Feyenoord going forward either.

CM – Antoni Milambo – 7/10

Milambo passed the ball with 82%, won five duels, making three tackles, two clearances and one block. However, he missed one big chance to score.

CM – Jakub Moder – 7/10

Moder had a decent game in midfield as he played one key pass and attempted one off-target shot. He also won six duels and made three interceptions.

CM – Hugo Bueno – 7.5/10

Bueno had a good game in midfield and had to wait until late in the game for his reward as Carranza converted his cross with a thunderous header. He played one other key pass and won four duels.

RW – Anis Hadj Moussa – 6.5/10

Moussa started the game but failed to make an impact on the proceedings and was subbed off in the second half.

LW – Igor Paixao – 6.5/10

Usually Feyenoord’s main threat, Paixao was kept quiet by Milan as his only effort was off-target. He also won just four of 11 duels and failed to provide a single key pass or accurate cross.

ST – Zepiqueno Redmond – 6.5/10

Chances came at a premium for Feyenoord and Redmond’s only attempt was off-target. He won three duels, though.

SUB – Julian Carranza – 7.5/10

Carranza proved to be the super-sub for Feyenoord as he scored with a thunderous effort to restore his team’s aggregate lead, which eventually took them through.

SUB – Calvin Stengs – 6.5/10

He replaced Bueno but failed to make an impact on the proceedings.

SUB – Jeyland Mitchell – N/A

Manager – Pascal Bosschaart – 7.5/10

Despite the tough task at hand, he pulled off a great result for Feyenoord as they progress to the round of 16.

The Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Bayer Leverkusen’s Malick Thiaw.

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