By Victor Kanayo
Two Italian Serie A clubs, AC Milan and Atalanta have been sent packing from the 2024/25 edition of the UEFA Champions League.
This was after both sides failed to go past the play-off stage of the European competition.
Feyenoord crossed to the next phase after a 1-1 draw at 10-man AC Milan, which took them past the seven-time kings of Europe 2-1 on aggregate.
Julian Carranza thumped home the winning header in the 73rd minute at a frigid San Siro, cancelling out Santiago Gimenez’s first-minute opener for Milan and sending the Dutch through to meet either Inter Milan or Arsenal.
Sergio Conceição’s Milan are by no means assured of a spot in next year’s tournament as they sit seventh in Serie A, five points off the top four with a game in hand.
On the other hand, Club Brugge of Belgium claimed a shock 3-1 win over Atalanta in Italy to triumph in the play-off tie 5-2 on aggregate and progress to the last 16.
Leading 2-1 from last week’s first leg, Club Brugge scored three times in the first half, with Chemsdine Talbi netting twice and Ferran Jutglà once.
Ademola Lookman pulled one back for Atalanta after missing a penalty, but the Belgians go through to play either Lille or Aston Villa next.
