GdS: ‘In the midst of a storm’ – Feyenoord’s difficult build-up to Milan clash | OneFootball

AC Milan must not underestimate Feyenoord ahead of tonight’s game in the Netherlands, but recent events suggest they cannot be afraid either.

La Gazzetta dello Sport speak of a Feyenoord side that are ‘in the midst of a storm’. They are fifth in the Eredivisie, 12 points behind Ajax, having lost their best played nine days ago and having sacked their head coach on Monday.

The real trauma dates back to the summer, when Mats Wieffer – the key player in the middle of the pitch – went to Brighton and above all Arne Slot was chosen by Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp. The Rotterdam club chose the Dane Brian Priske as his successor, who changed system and training.

Injuries have been plentiful implying his new methods have not worked. The results cost him his job: exhilarating victories like the recent 3-0 against Bayern Munich interspersed with draws or defeats against Utrecht, Willem II, Sparta, Groningen and Ajax.

The injury issue remains as Feyenoord will be without their starting goalkeeper Bijlow, defenders Nieuwkoop and Trauner tonight. Midfielder Hwang In-beom and Calvin Stengs – who trained alone yesterday – are almost certainly out. Hartman is not in the squad list for the Champions League either.

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The picture is clear: Milan have their own problems in terms of selection, but Feyenoord have more. The line-up tonight will inevitably be experimental as a result: Gimenez’s spot as the striker will go to Ueda, who has three goals in five Eredivisie games so far.

The most important players will be David Hancko – a Slovakian center that Cristiano Giuntoli tried to bring to Juventus  all winter – plus the wingers Hadj Moussa and Paixao, then especially the midfielders Timber and Milambo. They are 19 and 23 years old, together they provide pace and physique.

It is difficult to predict how Bosschaart will play in his first match as head coach. A 4-3-3 is certainly the most likely hypothesis but until two days ago he was coaching the Under 21s, he does not even have the right license to coach the first team and he has the injury issues to contend with.

It doesn’t paint a very daunting picture for Milan, but on the contrary De Kuip – a historic stadium – is noisy and will be a facto. Milan are used to this and more though, playing at San Siro every week.