AC Milan vs Feyenoord

Stadio San Siro forms the backdrop for the return leg of a closely-fought Champions League knockout playoff tie between AC Milan and Feyenoord.

After a 1-0 defeat in Rotterdam last week, Milan must defy history to reach the round of 16 as they suffered elimination in five out of six previous Champions League knockout ties when losing the first leg. However, Sergio Conceicao’s side bounced back from a dismal performance at De Kuip with a 1-0 home win against Hellas Verona, posting a second straight Serie A victory for the first time since mid-September. The impending home return should bolster Milan’s confidence, considering they’re on a three-game winning streak at the San Siro in the Champions League, last winning four in a row in 2007. Furthermore, ‘I Rossoneri’ are unbeaten at home in all competitions since late October (W7, D5)! 

Meanwhile, Feyenoord failed to build on a first-leg triumph as they shared the spoils with Eredivisie minnows NAC Breda in a tepid 0-0 draw last weekend. If it’s any consolation for interim boss Pascal Bosschaart, who replaced Brian Priske on the eve of Milan’s visit, his charges have kept a clean sheet in both competitive games under his stewardship. Another shutout would send the Dutch giants into the Champions League last-16 for the first time in 50 years, but the signs are ominous. Despite only losing once in four league-phase matches on the road (W2, D1), Feyenoord have picked up just three wins from their last 17 Champions League travels (D3, L11). Moreover, they’ve lost five of their six previous visits to Italy in this competition (W1).