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Theo Hernandez: Knock-on effects expected after Milan-Feyenoord red – Football Italia – February 19 latest

February 19, 2025

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Theo Hernandez: Knock-on effects expected after Milan-Feyenoord red – Football Italia – February 19 latest

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan leaves the pitch after receiving a red card for diving during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Theo Hernandez had a disaster of an evening as Milan were knocked out of the Champions League, as he was sent off shortly after the start of the second half for a second bookable offence, which could have knock-on effects on the rest of his Rossoneri career.

Milan were eliminated from the Champions League in the play-off rounds after a 1-1 draw with Feyenoord in San Siro on Tuesday night, which sealed a 2-1 loss on aggregate.

Former Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez opened the scoring for the Rossoneri within the first minute, but the team faced an uphill battle after Hernandez was sent off five minutes into the second half.

The Frenchman had been booked in the first half for an unnecessarily aggressive shirt pull on Anis Hadj-Moussa, and was then shown a second yellow for diving in the penalty area.

Match Referee, Szymon Marciniak gestures, as AC Milan players appeal a red card shown to teammate Theo Hernandez, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Effects of Theo Hernandez’s red card in Milan-Feyenoord

The red card on Tuesday night was obviously a direct contributor to Milan’s inability to hold on to their lead against Feyenoord, which means that the team are out of the Champions League, will miss out on the €11m prize money that comes with making the round of 16, and now face an uphill battle for a spot in next season’s competition.

Milan will likely have to finish in the top four in Serie A to qualify, as Italy’s hopes of securing a fifth spot in next season’s tournament have taken a hit after the Rossoneri loss and the elimination of Atalanta later on Tuesday night.

It’s not great news for Theo Hernandez individually, either, as the club have already decided to issue him with a fine according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. His actions have been labelled a ‘betrayal’ by multiple outlets in the Italian press, including the pink paper.

AC Milan's Theo Hernandez in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Venezia FC, in Milan, northern Italy, 14 September 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI — AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Venezia FC, in Milan, northern Italy, 14 September 2024. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

The 27-year-old also has a slightly delicate contract situation as well. His current deal is up at the end of the 2025-26 season, which means he will be entering the final year of his contract in the summer.

There had already been question marks over a renewal before Tuesday night, given that a new deal will not come cheaply and the fact that he has been on rocky form for large parts of the 2024-25 season already.

Following his poor decision making against Feyenoord, Theo Hernandez has a lot of convincing to do if he is to claw back his Milan career.