Feyenoord will face AC Milan in the Champions League knockout playoff round with a series of key players sidelined. Manager Brian Priske has been sacked, leaving the Dutch side in turmoil ahead of a huge match in prospect. Austrian defender Gernot Trauner is unlikely to feature for a third consecutive match. The absence list also includes goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, as well as Calvin Stengs, Chris-Kevin Nadje, and Ramiz Zerrouki. Timon Wellenreuther is expected to continue in goal for the Dutch side.
There’s positive news for Feyenoord, as left-back Quilindschy Hartman has returned from a serious knee injury and has already seen playing time. January signing Jakub Moder is also available for selection, having been registered for the knockout stages.
In attack, Brazilian forward Igor Paixao, who recorded four assists in the league phase, is set to play a key role, supporting either Ayase Ueda or Julian Carranza up front. Paixao has five Champions League goal contributions this season, a figure surpassed only by Santiago Gimenez’s six for Feyenoord.
Gimenez, who recently joined AC Milan after scoring 65 goals in 105 games for Feyenoord, is in line to lead the Italian side’s attack alongside Tammy Abraham. Christian Pulisic, with four goals in the Champions League league phase, also starts for Milan.
AC Milan’s squad has been strengthened by the additions of Kyle Walker and Joao Felix, although Riccardo Sottil and Warren Bondo are not registered for the competition. Emerson Royal, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Alessandro Florenzi are unavailable due to injury, and Yunus Musah is suspended. Milan coach Sergio Conceicao is seriously considering playing four forwards, including Pulisic, Felix, Leao and Gimenez.
Feyenoord (4-3-3): Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman; Moder, Timber, Hwang; Hadj-Moussa, Ueda, Paixao
AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Felix, Leao; Gimenez
