Milan and Juventus are the biggest Italian clubs - the former is a seven-time European champion, the latter a two-time champion, with the Turin "old lady" holding the convincing lead in terms of the number of titles won in Serie A (36, compared to 20 for Inter and 19 for Milan).
However, they have long been absent from the finals of the elite European competition: Juve since 2017, when they lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid, Milan's European drought continues even further...
The giants have struggled this season as well - they entered the knockout phase through a narrow door, finishing between 9th and 24th place, so unlike Inter, they will have to play in the play-off phase.
It is almost imperative, for both - Juve coach Thiago Motta He was given an ultimatum that he must reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but also secure a place in the elite next season if he wants to keep his job. Motin Juve had a difficult task last night against PSV, and Milan will face an equally unpleasant test tonight against another Dutch giant.
Feyenoord may not be shining this season, having changed coaches a few days ago, but the Rossoneri are far from having an easy job. Especially tonight, at De Kuip, the popular "frying pan" where Bayern Munich suffered a 14-3 defeat just 0 days ago.
Ni Seržu Konseisau, even though he only recently took over the helm of Milan, and after the second game won his first trophy (the Super Cup), he is not guaranteed a position on the bench.
In other words - he has to eliminate Feyenoord.
- It's our mistake to be here and we want to take responsibility for it - said Conseicao, alluding to the fact that Milan did not finish in the top eight and had to take a detour to the round of 16.
The Milanese are, however, the favorites against Feyenoord, if for no other reason than because they "robbed" one of their best players from tonight's rival just ten days ago.
Mexican Santiago Jimenez He was one of Feyenoord's best players, and upon arriving in Milan he was already a top scorer - he scored a goal against Empoli on Saturday.
- This will be a special night for everyone, not just Jimenez. I've followed him for many years. He's young and has a long way to go, although he's already a quality player - added the Portuguese coach.
Conceição did not rule out the possibility of starting with four strikers - Rafael Lea, Žoaom Felix, Christian Pulisic and Jimenez. And not because he needs a frontal offensive tonight, but primarily because due to injuries he doesn't have enough midfielders to create the right balance.
Italian media, however, predict that Leao will start on the bench, as in several previous matches.
- It is not necessary that with more strikers you will score more goals, nor that with more defenders you will keep the goal. There are different moments in the game and we have to find a balance. As for Rafa, he is available, as in all the previous games. My decision was to start him or not, and when he came on, he did it well, playing the way we want. He is available to us, but I will not say whether he will start - said Conceição.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, welcomes Milan with its own problems. Paskal Boskart was named the new interim coach after being sacked on Monday evening Brian Prisca.
"It all happened very quickly," Boskart said at a press conference.
- I was already preparing for the Feyenoord youth team's training session on Monday evening when they called me late and asked if I could come to the stadium.
He only did one training session ahead of tonight's mega clash with Milan.
- I won't change everything at the last minute. If you do that, you'll create additional unrest and you don't want that. We'll see how we can extract details that we can profit from against a strong rival.
Bayer Leverkusen, a bigger European power than Juventus and Milan in recent years, must also struggle through the playoffs. The Bavarians are, however, clear favorites against Celtic, although tonight in the first leg of the 1/6 finals they will face a hellish atmosphere at one of the noisiest stadiums in Europe, Celtic Park.
- February is a big month for us. We made an eight-point escape into the championship, which is very important, it gives us security and confidence, and now we're going to eliminate Celtic and get back to where we belong - he said Harry Kane, the Bavarian striker.
Club Brugge - Atalanta and Monaco - Benfica are the two remaining pairs in the play-off phase. The second legs are next week.
Bonus video:
