Sergio Conceicao challenges AC Milan to write their future against Feyenoord

AC Milan boss Sergio Conceicao declared that the “future is up to us” as his side prepare to face Feyenoord in their Champions League play-off tie.

Both teams meet in Rotterdam on Wednesday in the knockout stages after Milan were stunned by Dinamo Zagreb on the final matchday of the league phase.

A 2-1 loss meant Milan missed out on an automatic spot into the round of 16 by just one point and Conceicao is determined to “take responsibility” after narrowly falling short.

He told a press conference: “It’s a special game for everyone. It’s important, and we’re here because of our own fault – we could already be in the round of 16.

“We want to take responsibility for this. The change in technical staff creates different motivations in the group.

“It’s a Champions League game, in a historically difficult stadium. I played there three years ago with Porto. It’s a difficult, tough, and heated environment.

“We will write the history of the match, because the future is up to us. If we go in with the right attitude, putting into play what we have prepared, then there will be a chance of getting a good result.”

Feyenoord’s interim head coach Pascal Bosschaart says he will not make any radical changes as he prepares for his first game in charge.

The Dutch side sacked Brian Priske, who had been brought in following the summer departure of Arne Slot to Liverpool, earlier this week with the club fifth in the Eredivisie.

Saturday’s 3-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam was Feyenoord’s first in five league games and was not enough to save Priske, though Bosschaart insists he will take a cautious approach.

Bosschaart told a press conference: “I want to keep playing attractive football, get everyone on the same page and get results.

“I consider it a great honour that the club has trusted me and I will do everything I can to make it as good as possible.

“The preparation for playing Milan at home had already started; I am not someone who is going to change everything at the last minute to create more instability.”