The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League playoff between Milan (Italy) and Feyenoord (Netherlands) will take place on February 18 at the San Siro Stadium. The score of the first match was 1-0 in favor of Feyenoord. Milan vs. Feyenoord: prediction and statistics.
Milan
Sergio Conceição's side lost the first match 0-1, conceding the only goal early in the game. As a result, Milan suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Champions League, despite having a five-match winning streak before. To advance to the next stage of the tournament, the Italians need to win by at least two goals in regular time. It's worth noting that Milan has reached the Champions League Round of 16 only once in the last 11 seasons.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League (7 wins, 1 draw).
- Both opponents scored in 5 of the team's last 6 home games in this European competition.
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 5 of Milan's last 6 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Milan (4-3-3)
Mike Maignan – Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic, Kyle Walker – Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, Youssouf Fofana – Santiago Gimenez, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao.
Defenders Emerson Royal and Alessandro Florenzi, as well as midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, will miss the game due to injuries.
Feyenoord
After winning the first match, Pascal Bosschart's team secured their third victory in the last four Champions League encounters. Additionally, the team kept a clean sheet for only the second time in their previous 14 matches in this tournament. Now, to advance to the next round, the club only needs to avoid losing in regular time, and if Feyenoord loses by one goal, extra time will be played. Notably, in the 21st century, the Dutch side has never reached the Round of 16 in Europe's premier club competition.
- The team has not won in regular time in 10 of their last 12 away matches in the Champions League (1 draw, 9 losses).
- The club has conceded at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 away games in this European competition.
- At least four goals have been scored in regular time in Feyenoord's last four away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Feyenoord (4-3-3)
Timon Wellenreuther – Givairo Read, David Hancko, Thomas Beelen, Gijs Smal – Luka Ivanusec, Anthony Milambo, Jakub Moder – Anis Hadj-Moussa, Julian Carranza, Igor Paixao.
Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, defenders Gernot Trauner and Jordan Lotomba, midfielders Quinten Timber, Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Ramiz Zerrouki, and Chris-Kevin Ndaye, as well as forward Ayase Ueda, will be absent due to injuries.
Referee
Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 18;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 33%.
Milan vs. Feyenoord: Match Prediction
At home, Milan tends to play an attacking game and tries to spend as much time as possible in the opponent's half. Scoring goals has not been a significant issue for the club, and in their last six home matches in the Champions League, Milan players have found the net. However, their defensive actions leave much to be desired, as the club has kept a clean sheet only once in this period.
Feyenoord is not accustomed to sitting back in defense even away from home and prefers to play with an emphasis on creativity. In their last 12 away matches in the Champions League, the team has failed to score only twice, and in the current stage of this tournament, they have scored ten goals in four away fixtures. However, the club consistently makes defensive errors and has not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 away matches in this European competition.
I expect both opponents to play actively in attack, leading to an exchange of goals. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes