Milan s Champions League exit is my fault not Theo s says coach Conceicao

MILAN – AC Milan looked to be in control of their Champions League destiny on Feb 18 before the sending-off of Theo Hernandez turned the play-off on its head, although coach Sergio Conceicao refused to blame the defender for their exit.

Having lost the first leg 1-0, Milan were level on aggregate in the first minute but after Hernandez picked up a second booking for simulation in the 51st minute, Feyenoord equalised to draw 1-1 and reach the last 16 with a 2-1 overall score.

Milan could have avoided a play-off altogether with a win at Dinamo Zagreb in their final league-phase game, but on that occasion they had Yunus Musah sent off and lost 2-1.

“It’s definitely a failure, we wanted to get to the last 16,” Conceicao said.

“This match showed that we are stronger than the opponent and that it was the episodes that decided, like in Zagreb, sending-off there, sending-off here.

“You could say that the referee (Szymon Marciniak) was too harsh, but we had to be stronger mentally. I’m the one responsible, not Theo. Theo has given so much to Milan. Until Theo’s red card, Feyenoord didn’t know how to get to the goal. We are disappointed and angry.”

Santiago Gimenez, Milan’s recent signing from Feyenoord, had put the hosts ahead but Conceicao took the Mexican forward off in the second half and the coach explained his decision.

“We had one less player. Then there was Santiago to manage, he had an adductor problem and he needs to be managed,” he said. “I put Joao Felix up front to try and counter, but we were controlling the game anyway.”

Julian Carranza equalised in the 73rd minute for Feyenoord, who had Givairo Read sent off in stoppage time.

Conceicao replaced Paulo Fonseca as coach at the