WALK ON THE RILED SIDE
Kyle Walker suffers AC Milan Champions League debut to forget with England star run ragged by Brazilian ace
Loanee from Man City can't contain Feyenoord's wing wizard
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 defender, who has made three domestic appearances for the Italian side since ditching Manchester City, was run ragged by Feyenoord match-winner Igor Paixao.
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The 1-0 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.
But Walker insisted: “We can turn it around... We have to learn from tonight. I
"It’s not just the forwards – all the team needs to contribute to score goals.
"It’s a two-legged game so we’re disappointed but we look forward to the game at the Stadio San Siro."
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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 34-year-old 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.
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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.
Kyle Walker pictured reuniting with wife Annie & four kids over a meal after flying to Italy to watch him play for AC Milan
Nigerian wideman Samuel Chukwueze then blasted a shot through a crowd of players straight at Maignan.
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.
In fact, 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.
Meanwhile, The Sun's Paul Sims has revealed why Walker will "never escape" his ex-mistress Lauryn Goodman.
That's based on our dossier of evidence, including the model's "restaurant ambush".
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