O Milan started ahead for a place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League. This Thursday (15), at the San Siro, with live broadcast on ESPN on Star+o Red-black received the Rennesfor the first game of playoffand had the support of their fans to beat the French 3-0.
With the result, the Italians can even afford to lose the return game, in France, by two goals difference, which secures a place in the next phase. The match will be on the day February 22at Roazhon Park, at 2:45 pm (Brasília time), also with live broadcast on ESPN on Star+.
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Whoever advances will meet their rival in the round of 16 through a draw, which will be held on the day February 23in Nyon, Switzerland, home of UEFA.
To gain an important advantage in the fight for a place in the next phase of the Europa League, Milan counted on a great performance from the duo formed by Ruben Loftus-Cheek e Rafael Leao. Especially English.
The scoring was opened to 32 minutes of the first half. Florenzi he crossed into the area and, with a header, Loftus-Cheek made it 1-0. And on the break, the number 8 once again left his mark.
To the 47the English midfielder took advantage of a rebound given by the goalkeeper Steve Mandanda after a corner kick and, again with a header, he expanded. The midfielder even scored his fifth goal in the last five matches for Milan this season, confirming his good form.
Five minutes later, it was Leão’s turn to make a great play to close the score. Clearly, the Portuguese striker scored with Theo Hernandez and finished, making it 3-0.
And it was a (very) close call that the Italians didn’t make the fourth. In counterattack, Noah Okafor There was a free goal, but the French team’s defense saved it on the line, preventing the score from being increased even further.
Milan’s next games:
Rennes’ next games:
Rafael Leão, Milan striker, celebrating a goal against Rennes, at the San Siro, in the UEFA Europa League playoff Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images