Feyenoord vs. Milan – Conceição’s Tactical Bet and Gimenez’s Emotional Return
Tonight, all eyes will be on Rotterdam as AC Milan faces Feyenoord in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The anticipation is through the roof, and there's a lot to unpack—tactics, absences, and one particularly emotional homecoming.
Milan boss Sérgio Conceição is expected to set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that prioritizes attacking fluidity while maintaining midfield stability. The big question leading up to this clash has been whether Milan’s so-called "Fantastic Four"—Rafael Leão, João Félix, Christian Pulisic, and Santiago Gimenez—will all start together. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport , the answer is yes. Leão, Félix, and Pulisic will operate behind Gimenez, who is making a swift return to Feyenoord after leaving just nine days ago.
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However, Milan isn’t at full strength. The Rossoneri are dealing with eight absences, including injuries to Alessandro Florenzi, Emerson Royal, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Yunus Musah is suspended, while Alex Jimenez, Warren Bondo, Riccardo Sottil, and Luka Jovic are not on the squad list. This leaves Conceição with little choice but to deploy Tijjani Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana as the double pivot in midfield. Defensively, Kyle Walker, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlović, and Theo Hernández will line up in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
On the other side, Feyenoord will stick with their familiar 4-3-3 setup, led by Santiago Gimenez’s former teammates. The Dutch side will be eager to prove their strength at home, especially with the passionate De Kuip crowd behind them.
Speaking of Gimenez, this match is more than just a game for him—it’s deeply personal. The 23-year-old Mexican striker, who grew up idolizing Milan’s legendary players, finally fulfilled his childhood dream of playing for the Rossoneri. His move from Feyenoord to Milan happened quickly, and now, he finds himself facing his former club in a high-stakes battle. In a recent interview, he admitted that while it will be emotional, his focus remains on helping Milan advance in the competition.
There’s also some debate among Milan fans regarding Tomori’s inclusion in the starting XI. Some believe he should be benched in favor of Malick Thiaw or Matteo Gabbia due to past defensive lapses. Others argue that Tomori’s speed and ability to play in a high defensive line make him a key part of Conceição’s strategy. Meanwhile, some tactical tweaks might be in play—there's a possibility of Milan shifting to a 4-3-3 with Filippo Terracciano in midfield instead of Félix.
Ultimately, Milan’s approach will determine whether they gain an early advantage in this tie. A strong attacking display could put them in a commanding position ahead of the return leg at San Siro. Feyenoord, though, won’t go down without a fight, and their home advantage could make things complicated.
So, as the teams step onto the pitch, one thing is certain—this will be a night full of drama, tactical battles, and emotions running high. Let’s see who takes the upper hand in this crucial European clash.
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