KYLE WALKER may have left Manchester City, but just like his old club he suffered a rough night in Europe on his Champions League debut for Milan. The England international, who has made three domestic appearances for the Italian side since ditching Manchester City, was run ragged by match-winner Igor Paixao. Defeat at De Kuip leaves Milan on the back foot ahead of next week's play-off second leg at San Siro, the winner of which could face Arsenal in the last 16.
![[AC Milan's Kyle Walker and Feyenoord's Luka Ivanusec react after a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/17-luka-ivanusec-l-react-971484442.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Feyenoord, who sacked Arne Slot's successor Brian Priske on Monday, took the lead after just three minutes. Paixao, who was being watched by a number of Premier League admirers, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot at the near post which slipped past Mike Maignan. Feyenoord's electric Brazilian winger gave Walker a torrid time, beating him time and again with direct runs down the left. Rafael Leao should have equalised in the first half but fluffed a golden chance on the break.
![[Kyle Walker of AC Milan in action against Igor Paixao of Feyenoord during a UEFA Champions League match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/action-kyle-walker-ac-milan-971479189.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Milan, who dropped Tammy Abraham to the bench in favour of ex-Feyenoord man Santiago Gimenez, plugged away in the second half but could not find a way through. Paixao almost doubled his tally with an audacious effort from the half-way line after robbing loanee Walker on the ball as he continued to torment. Nigerian wideman Samuel Chukwueze then blasted a shot through a crowd of players straight at Maignan.
![[AC Milan and Feyenoord players vying for the ball during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ac-milan-defender-kyle-walker-971465484.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS. Gimenez got a round of appreciation from fans of his old club when Milan replaced him with ex-Chelsea hitman Abraham eight minutes from time. But the Serie A giants rarely threatened seriously. And Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic had to block sharply to thwart a lively late raid from Anis Hadj Moussa. Nonetheless, a narrow loss means the Italians will fancy their chances of a return-leg revival.
