Kyle Walker's daring prediction for his loan period at AC Milan failed spectacularly after the Italian giants from the Champions League were dumped.
Walker arrived in the San Siro from Manchester City for a loan agreement in the January transfer window. Milan has the option to sign the 34-year-old permanent at the end of the season for around £ 4.2 million.
The Englishman had struggled this term in City, although they had previously played a key role when they won the Champions League in 2023. And speaking upon his arrival in Milan, Walker made his ambition to win another European title.
“Of course I spoke with Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), he explained many different things, he told me about the great things we are trying to achieve here. We spoke about the Super Cup, which was a good start, “he said.
“It is not perfect in terms of the competition, but there is still a chance in the Champions League. I hope to contribute with my experience and leadership and to help Milan to return to where it wants to be. Winning the Champions League would come up with a dream: I experienced it in a great final with the city.
But those dreams were interrupted on Tuesday when Milan was dumped by Feyenoord in the play-off phase. The Italians wiped the 1-0 first leg for the first leg for just one minute when Santiago Gimenez tapped the club that he left in the January window.
Milan dominated everywhere, but Theo Hernandez who broadcast for six minutes in the second half changed the game to the advantage of Feyenoord. Hernandez was sent for an early bath after picking up two bookings, with his second being a dive for a particularly acgrilled attempt.
With Milan to 10 men, Feyenoord made full use of and won the draw 17 minutes in time through the header of Julian Carranza. Walker played all 90 minutes, but stayed behind with his dreams in deck when boss Sérgio Concrukição rumbled by his side.
“The disappointment is huge, we are all angry. We knew we were stronger. We made a mistake in Rotterdam and we prepared it to win: we did not see how they could achieve our goal, and we missed the second goal at several times, “he said.
“We are also the culprit and now we have to think about the competition. We must be stronger and work harder. We played for a long time without a man in Zagreb and today: Theo's Red Card changed the game, until that moment they had not created a chance.
“Today is a defeat for me. In previous years I made the round of 16 five times in six years with Porto: I have made so many mistakes that you cannot imagine. My players also make mistakes, but the face of this elimination is by Sergio Conukicao and not Theo.
“There are absolutely many things to improve. Sometimes being emotionally strong is the most important thing. I understand the pressure of these big clubs and there is this work to do internally: externally the area does not help the players either. “
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