Feyenoord interim manager Pascal Bosschaart heaped praises on his players for their character after successfully progressing to the UEFA Champions League last 16, Afrosport reports.
Feyenoord defeated AC Milan 1-0 in the first leg of their knockout play-off last week, and the Dutch club needed just a draw to secure their place in the round of 16.
The Eredivisie side got their wish as a 73rd-minute goal from Julian Carranza cancelled out Santiago Gimenez’s opener for Milan with both teams reduced to 10 men in their 1-1 stalemate at San Siro on Tuesday night.
“This says [a lot] about the team; that they have character. I think that’s what I’m most proud of,” Bosschaart told Ziggo Sport.
“You have to remember that they come from a very difficult phase, have received a lot of criticism, a change of coach, and then an unknown person comes in front of the group who occasionally throws in some empty slogans.
“That is a very difficult phase for them but I do think we are very clear, very transparent and very honest and this group responds very well to it, so I am proud of it.”
Famous night for Feyenoord in Milan 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/uS2rFDYg3J
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2025
Gimenez scored the opener against his former team, tapping home from close range. Feyenoord, however, drew level, with Carranza heading home a cross from Spaniard Hugo Bueno.
“If you concede a goal within minutes, the plan you wanted to execute will be different again,” added Bosschaart.
“Everyone will now say that we took the upper hand after the red card but I also thought in the first half that we played quite well. Only after the red card it might be a little easier.”
Feyenoord have reached the Champions League round of 16 for the first time, and Bosschaart’s men could face either Arsenal or Inter Milan with a potential return to the San Siro on the cards.
“It’s beautiful. We are one round further, so very special,” Bosschaart said.”It’s fantastic but I have to say, it hasn’t really landed with me yet.”
