Theo's blunder
Football is a team sport, victories and defeats are shared in the locker room. But sometimes, a single player can stab a match to death. That was the case in Milan-Feyenoord. The Rossoneri took the lead with Gimenez after just 36 seconds, immediately overturning the first-leg deficit. The first half was completely under control, with multiple chances to double the lead, without conceding a single shot or even a corner.
The Dutch side, who had looked like piranhas in the "Basin" of Rotterdam, were now mere goldfish, humbled by a Milan that was more authentic and passionate.
But in the 51st minute, just as everyone was expecting the goal to seal qualification, Theo Hernández stormed into the Dutch penalty area and dived without contact. In the first half, he had already grabbed an opponent’s shirt pointlessly in midfield—like a street bully. A yellow plus another yellow equals red. Feyenoord took full advantage and, in the 73rd minute, scored the equalizer that secured their spot in the Round of 16. Unbelievable—Tafazzi wouldn't have gone this far. Two childish mistakes at 27 years old. The cherry on top of a season full of headaches, mutinies, punitive benchings, and pink hair... From Paolo Maldini, who brought him to Milan, Theo inherited the position, the patch of grass, and the captain's armband—but not the example, nor the sense of team spirit and responsibility.
Conceiçao's mistakes
But, as mentioned, football is a team sport, so let's expand the circle of blame. In the first half, despite dominating against an opponent weakened by absences and its own limitations, Milan should have put the game to bed. Instead, they wasted too much. Leão and João Félix, the most technically gifted players, failed to step up as they should have. Conceiçao also made mistakes, particularly in taking off Gimenez—when down to ten men, the team needed a physical presence up front.
This elimination also stems from the horrendous first leg and the missed opportunity in Zagreb to secure a direct spot in the last eight. The final verdict is grotesque: Milan knocked out by the same team they stripped of their star striker, paying over €30 million for him. And who played in Gimenez’s place yesterday? A 2006-born kid, a Champions League debutant with just three league appearances. This European failure burns—€11 million in lost UEFA prize money—and will weigh on the rest of the season. And on Conceiçao’s future, especially if Milan also miss out on a top-four finish.
A Promising start...
The Portuguese coach immediately unleashed his Fantastic Four, without keeping one fresh for emergencies. The message was clear: "All or nothing." And the team took it literally, scoring after just 36 seconds. A cross from Pulisic, a layoff from Thiaw, and a header from Gimenez. The young Feyenoord side seemed overwhelmed by the magic of San Siro. The Rossoneri tried to secure qualification with a high-pressing first 15 minutes that boxed in the Dutch. Wellenreuther denied João Félix, and Theo scraped the post on the rebound (24’). A fearful Feyenoord barely survived and slowly restored their timid 4-4-2 defensive shape. But they never managed to replicate their aggressive 4-2-3-1 from Rotterdam or set loose Hadj Moussa and Paixão, who had run riot in the first leg. Instead, in the 43rd minute, Milan once again found themselves one-on-one with the goalkeeper, with Leão showcasing some delightful skill. Reijnders played well, and João Félix moved constantly to avoid giving reference points. But the second goal never came.
Theo's madness
At San Siro, however, no one was worried. The gulf in quality between the two sides was too great—this small Feyenoord had neither taken a shot on goal nor won a single corner. Everyone thought: just be patient. But then, at the 51st minute, Theo did something outrageous—like an impulsive decision at the barbershop. A blatant dive in the Dutch penalty area. The yellow card added to the one he had deservedly received in the first half, and Milan were down to ten men. Unbelievable.
Conceiçao reshaped the team into a 4-4-1, bringing on Bartesaghi for Pulisic. Then he realized that Feyenoord had too much possession and introduced Fofana, sacrificing a forward. A logical move. But Gimenez was the last player he should have taken off—when down a man and forced to launch long balls, a physical reference up front is essential. Instead, the coach removed the Mexican and came up with a useless false nine in João Félix. The Dutch kept possession regardless, and just two minutes later, they equalized. The ball moved smoothly from right to left and found Bueno, who crossed for Carranza’s lethal header (73’).
Stacking the box with Abraham, Pavlovic, and all the tallest players available achieved nothing. Milan were out of the Champions League—their natural habitat. San Siro was more dejected than angry, almost resigned to the realization that this Milan side has nothing to do with the club’s history and values.
So, after market failures, mutinies, managerial sackings, absentee leadership, and more, an apocalypse like this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The only thing left is to finish the season with dignity and chase a top-four finish, which is absolutely vital. Financially, too. The Coppa Italia won’t salvage anything. The Supercoppa in Riyadh? Less than a fig leaf. More like a basil leaf. A puff of cigar smoke blown away.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
