In a highly - charged first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff tie on Wednesday,Feyenoord secured a 1 - 0 home victory over AC Milan, courtesy of a goalkeeping blunder. This triumph came just two days after the Dutch club dismissed their coach.

Igor Paixão netted the solitary goal of the game a mere three minutes in. His audacious attempt from the left flank, moving at speed on the wet pitch, took an awkward skid and somehow managed to squirm through the hands of the diving Milan goalkeeper, Mike Maignan.

For the French international Maignan, it was a save that should have been straightforward. However, the costly error provided Feyenoord with a perfect start and laid the groundwork for a masterful display from Paixão, who went on to shine brightly throughout the encounter.

The Brazilian winger was at the heart of Feyenoord's attacking enterprise as the home side showed no ill effects from the shock decision to fire coach Brian Priske on Monday.

Interim coach Pascal Bosschaart got off to a winning start after being promoted the same day from his job with the Feyenoord under-21 side, giving him little time to prepare for the tie.

Paixao caused no end of trouble for Milan's new right back Kyle Walker with his runs down the wing and came close to a second goal with a curling shot in the 37th minute that brushed the top of the visitors' crossbar.

After the break, Paixao's trickery set up a chance for substitute Julián Carranza but he went wide from close range and both sides battled to set up clear-cut opportunities, despite a fevered atmosphere at De Kuip where torrential rain hampered play in the first half.

"These are the nights you play for. We've shown this kind of confidence before," said home captain Quinten Timber.

"There's also a reason we're here now. We've played several good games in the Champions League."

At the other end, Rafael Leão had two good chances before the break, the first blocked by Feyenoord defender Thomas Beelen and the second a counter-attack where he bore down on goal but was halted by Givairo Read's timely tackle.

It was a quiet homecoming for Dutch international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who showed little of his usual assertive midfield play but did go close with a dipping volley in the 70th minute, and for Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, whom Feyenoord sold to Milan nine days ago for a record 35-million-euro ($36.35-million) fee.

Milan looked the stronger side in the final 20 minutes but the best they could muster was a powerful long-range shot from Samuel Chukwueze that went straight at Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther.

Milan host the return at San Siro on Tuesday with the aggregate winner advancing to the last 16.

"We can turn it around in the second leg," said Walker after his Champions League debut for his new club. "We have to learn from tonight."