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UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Feyenoord Knocks Out Milan to Reach Last 16
In what was a thrilling and highly dramatic group-stage finish, Feyenoord made history by securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Round of 16 at the expense of AC Milan. This momentous result sent shockwaves across the footballing world, as one of the most decorated clubs in European football, AC Milan, were unceremoniously eliminated from the competition by the Dutch side. While Milan entered the tournament with high hopes of advancing deep into the knockout rounds, their exit in the group stage was the result of a combination of tactical missteps, individual mistakes, and missed opportunities.
In this article, we will analyze the reasons behind Feyenoord’s remarkable achievement and how Milan’s shortcomings led to their shocking elimination.
The Build-Up: A Group of Death
When the draw for the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group stage was made, AC Milan found themselves in a tough group alongside Feyenoord, RB Leipzig, and Shakhtar Donetsk. On paper, it seemed like a manageable group for Milan, with the expectation that they would finish in the top two and advance to the knockout stage. However, this would prove to be far from the case.
- Feyenoord: The Dutch side was widely regarded as the underdog in the group, despite their strong domestic form in the Eredivisie. Feyenoord had recently won the league title and were led by their talented manager, Arne Slot, who was known for his tactical astuteness and ability to get the best out of his players. While not widely regarded as one of the heavyweights in European football, Feyenoord’s blend of youthful exuberance and experience made them a formidable opponent.
- AC Milan: With a rich European history, Milan were expected to challenge for the top spot in the group, boasting a strong squad with players like Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leão, and Theo Hernández. Under manager Stefano Pioli, Milan were known for their solid defensive setup, while their attacking players had the potential to cause problems for any defense. However, their recent performances in Serie A showed cracks, and their inconsistency in Europe was a concern.
- RB Leipzig: The Bundesliga side was another top contender for the group’s top two spots. Known for their high-pressing, fast-paced football, Leipzig had established themselves as one of the strongest teams in Germany. Their squad included Christopher Nkunku, Josko Gvardiol, and Dominik Szoboszlai, who could change the course of a game with their brilliance.
- Shakhtar Donetsk: While Shakhtar was often considered the weakest link in the group, their resilient mentality and the presence of star players like Mykhailo Mudryk (before his move to Chelsea) made them capable of causing upsets.
Feyenoord’s Tactical Brilliance
Feyenoord’s journey to the Round of 16 was one of tactical discipline, clever pressing, and ruthless efficiency. Manager Arne Slot proved to be the key architect behind Feyenoord’s extraordinary group-stage performance, making astute decisions both tactically and with his team selections.
High Pressing and Counter-Attacking Football
Feyenoord’s main strength in the Champions League was their ability to press high and win possession in dangerous areas. The team set out with a 4-3-3 formation, relying on their quick, direct attacking players to catch opposition defenses off guard. Santi Jiménez, the team’s dynamic striker, and Orkun Kökçü, the talented playmaker, were crucial in linking up play and providing the finishing touches.
In their home fixture against Milan, Feyenoord’s high pressing forced Milan into mistakes, and the team capitalized on these errors with pace and precision. In a 2-1 victory at De Kuip, Feyenoord demonstrated how to exploit Milan’s vulnerabilities when under pressure, showcasing their ability to punish even the smallest mistakes.
Solid Defensive Structure
Feyenoord’s defensive system was equally impressive, as Slot ensured his side maintained a compact structure, making it difficult for teams to break them down. With Gernot Trauner and Lutsharel Geertruida at the heart of their defense, Feyenoord was not only solid but also adept at intercepting crosses and tracking runners into the box. Milan’s attacking options often found themselves frustrated against Feyenoord’s resolute backline.
Milan’s Early Stumbles
From the outset, AC Milan showed signs of inconsistency. While they had the tools to dominate the group, their inability to take control of games and fully utilize their attacking players became evident.
The Missed Opportunity Against Shakhtar Donetsk
In their opening match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Milan were expected to secure a comfortable win. However, Milan struggled to break down Shakhtar’s defense and, despite dominating possession, failed to convert their chances. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, which already raised alarm bells over Milan’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
The Loss to Feyenoord at Home
Milan’s match against Feyenoord at the San Siro turned out to be one of the turning points of their campaign. A 2-1 defeat at home to the Dutch side sent shockwaves through the Milan fanbase, as they had expected to secure three points from this fixture. Milan’s defensive lapses were evident as Santi Jiménez scored a brace, exploiting Milan’s slow reactions to counter-attacks. The defeat left Milan with much work to do, but it also highlighted the flaws in their approach under Pioli.
Squad Selection and Tactical Missteps
Manager Stefano Pioli’s tactical decisions came under intense scrutiny throughout the group stage. While his 4-2-3-1 formation worked well against weaker opponents, Pioli failed to adapt his tactics against the stronger sides, particularly in Europe. His over-reliance on Olivier Giroud as the sole striker and the inability to implement a more fluid, dynamic attacking setup meant Milan struggled to break down defensive teams, as seen in their 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig.
Pioli’s tactical inflexibility and failure to rotate players also caused issues. Key players like Rafael Leão were often fatigued, while others, such as Divock Origi, did not step up when given the opportunity. This lack of depth, particularly in the forward positions, became a major hindrance.
The Final Blow: Milan’s Fate Sealed
In the final matchday of the group stage, Milan needed a win against RB Leipzig to ensure qualification. However, the pressure of the occasion appeared to get to them. In a tense encounter at the San Siro, Milan were unable to capitalize on early chances. Despite Theo Hernández’s equalizer in the second half, Leipzig took the lead with a late goal, leaving Milan stunned. With this loss, Milan finished third in the group, leaving them out of the running for a knockout spot.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord completed a remarkable 3-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk on the final matchday, securing their spot in the Round of 16 and confirming Milan’s exit from the tournament. With that result, Feyenoord finished second in the group, just behind RB Leipzig but ahead of AC Milan, who were left to rue missed chances and poor decision-making.
Lessons Learned for Milan
Milan’s elimination from the Champions League 2024-25 was a bitter pill to swallow for their fans, especially after their high expectations. The failure highlighted several key lessons:
- Tactical Flexibility: Pioli must learn to adapt his tactics in high-pressure situations. His rigid approach, particularly against teams with pressing styles, was exposed.
- Squad Depth: Milan’s lack of squad rotation and over-reliance on key players like Leão and Giroud created fatigue issues that were costly.
- Defensive Mistakes: Despite having a solid defense, Milan’s lack of concentration at key moments, especially in Europe, proved to be a major weakness.
Feyenoord’s Triumph
For Feyenoord, this result was the culmination of years of planning, tactical precision, and commitment. Arne Slot’s young and vibrant team defied expectations and earned their place among Europe’s elite. Their achievement serves as a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the Champions League, where on any given night, a well-organized and determined underdog can knock down giants.
As Feyenoord now looks forward to the knockout rounds, they carry with them the belief that anything is possible in this great competition. As for Milan, they face a period of reflection, knowing that a series of poor decisions and missed opportunities were the root causes of their unexpected elimination.
