Sports activities Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League conflict between Rennes and AC Milan, together with predictions, group information and doable lineups.
With one foot within the Europa League‘s final 16, AC Milan goal to complete the job on Thursday, once they take a three-goal result in Rennes.
Milan cruised to victory within the first leg of their knockout-round playoff tie, leaving Les Rennais with a mountain to climb again at Roazhon Park.
Match preview
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After seizing management of final week’s contest by way of a pair of Ruben Loftus-Cheek headers, which have been adopted by Rafael Leao‘s strike on 53 minutes, Milan went on to wrap up a snug 3-0 victory at San Siro that sees them journey to France as sizzling favourites to progress.
Loftus-Cheek turned the primary Rossoneri participant to attain twice in a European knockout sport for some 17 years, as their return to continental competitors after exiting the Champions League went completely to plan.
Ending third in a troublesome group, behind Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, noticed the Italian giants drop down into the Europa League playoffs, however beating Rennes comprehensively places them on observe in direction of a first-ever triumph in UEFA’s second-tier event.
Final 12 months’s wins in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli imply Milan have gone by way of to the subsequent spherical 39 occasions from 45 earlier European ties after successful at house within the first leg, so precedent is clearly on their facet this Thursday.
Nevertheless, Stefano Pioli‘s much-changed group suffered a setback in Serie A final weekend, souring their excellent begin to 2024: Luka Jovic was despatched off for reacting to provocation in an eventful 4-2 loss at close by Monza, during which the house facet scored twice throughout the closing couple of minutes.
Nonetheless inside two factors of second-placed Juventus within the desk, metropolis rivals Inter Milan are 11 away from the Rossoneri, whose faint Scudetto hopes might have already got ended. Out of the Coppa Italia, too, the Europa League is unquestionably their final likelihood of claiming silverware this season.
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After coming by way of Group F within the autumn, earlier than embarking on final week’s journey to Italy of their greatest type of the season, Rennes have been actually anticipating to fare higher at San Siro.
Les Rouge et Noirs now have their work reduce out if they’ll progress to the final 16, they usually could be rue ending second to Villarreal within the group section, which left them such a difficult playoff contest to deal with.
Following solely a second failure to attain in 17 Europa League fixtures, Rennes picked themselves up and continued their effective home type on the weekend, when Julien Stephan‘s facet have been again among the many objectives in a 3-1 win over Clermont that noticed Martin Terrier bag a second-half brace.
In addition to slaying Sochaux to ebook a spot within the Coupe de France quarter-finals, Les Rennais have begun a significant push for European qualification since Stephan’s arrival as head coach, following Bruno Genesio‘s departure.
He has helped the Breton membership transfer to inside two factors of sixth-placed Lens in Ligue 1, successful no fewer than 11 of his 15 video games in cost.
French league leaders PSG are up subsequent in home competitors, however pulling off a miraculous fightback to stun Milan have to be Stephan’s subsequent goal.
Rennes Europa League type:
Rennes type (all competitions):
AC Milan Europa League type:
AC Milan type (all competitions):
Crew Information
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After making six adjustments on Sunday with out a lot success, Milan boss Stefano Pioli is about to call a extra acquainted XI at Roazhon Park than that which was overwhelmed by Monza.
Rafael Leao appeared as an alternative on the weekend, resulting from a minor calf downside, whereas Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud each scored after arriving from the bench.
The latter has been immediately concerned in 11 objectives from 10 Europa League knockout-stage appearances and will begin in his homeland; Luka Jovic is dealing with a Serie A suspension for violent conduct however shall be out there ought to 37-year-old Giroud be rested.
Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and captain Davide Calabria aren’t but again from damage, however fellow defender Malick Thiaw made his first begin for a number of weeks in opposition to Monza – albeit with calamitous outcomes.
In the meantime, Rennes additionally made numerous adjustments to their lineup within the league, however Benjamin Bourigeaud and Want Doue are amongst a number of gamers set to return.
Midfield duo Enzo Le Payment and Fabian Rieder shall be Julien Stephan’s most notable absentees; Arnaud Kalimuendo missed out in opposition to Clermont, although, and could possibly be sidelined once more.
Rennes doable beginning lineup:
Mandanda; G. Doue, Omari, Theate, Truffert; Bourigeaud, Matusiwa, Santamaria, D. Doue; Gouiri, Terrier
AC Milan doable beginning lineup:
Maignan; Florenzi, Gabbia, Kjaer, Hernandez; Adli, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud
We are saying: Rennes 2-1 AC Milan (AC Milan win 4-2 on combination)
Having averaged over two objectives per sport this 12 months, Milan are prone to rating once more – and that ought to put their place within the final 16 past doubt. Nonetheless, shedding in Italy was the one defeat Rennes have suffered since December, so the hosts are able to a comfort win on the night time.
For information evaluation of the more than likely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.