Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave AC Milan one foot within the UEFA Europa League round-of-16 with a well-taken brace earlier than Rafael Leao heaped extra distress on Rennes, who’ve a three-goal mountain to climb within the return leg subsequent week.
Milan appeared a handful for Rennes proper from the opening phases of the sport with Leao, Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah going near scoring earlier than Loftus-Cheek broke the dam simply after the half-hour mark.
He hit his fifth and sixth targets in eight video games towards Rennes, each coming from assured headers that mirror his purple patch earlier than Leao all however ended the tie with a scientific third.
Rennes substitute striker Amine Gouiri did convey some life to the French aspect with 20 minutes to go and will effectively have performed himself into the beginning 11 for the house leg, however they’ll want way more than that after being utterly outmatched by Milan.
It may have been much more than a three-goal deficit too, had Stefano Pioli not opted to relaxation a few of his star gamers with Milan sat eight factors behind leaders Inter in Serie A.
They face Monza subsequent Sunday earlier than welcoming fourth-placed Atalanta every week later, however may be capable to higher put together for that recreation if Pioli can rotate his squad within the return leg towards Rennes. And he obtained an extra enhance because the San Siro welcomed again Malick Thiaw from the substitute’s bench after lacking two months with a hamstring damage to assist ease Milan’s defensive damage disaster.
Speaking level – Sorry Rennes smothered by Milan
Rennes have been solely compelled into the Europa League play-off spherical because of an injury-time winner towards Villarreal being (appropriately) disallowed by an obscure free-kick rule, and turned up in Milan like they nonetheless thought they didn’t must be there.
The hosts loved over 90% possession within the opening exchanges with Rennes seemingly seeking to soak up strain and play on the counter-attack with the likes of Martin Terrier and Guela Doue.
Initially that technique was profitable, with Milan failing to essentially break open the defence and infrequently resorting to longer-range efforts, however Loftus-Cheek’s purpose modified every little thing.
Although Rennes ended the first-half on the entrance foot, that gave the hosts a have a look at the way to break them down after half-time and Loftus-Cheek’s second purpose moments after kick-off appeared set to settle the encounter.
Nevertheless, Leao’s purpose was the ultimate nail within the coffin. He’s an attacker that always seems to help a team-mate fairly than rating himself and generally desire a half-chance that he can assault on intuition to a clear-cut alternative that leaves him too lengthy to assume.
He actually made essentially the most of this one although, with an outstanding first-time end again previous Steve Mandanda securing victory no less than on the evening.
Participant of the Match – Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan)
Is it too late to pressure his approach into Gareth Southgate’s summer time plans? It could’t be out of the query with the run of kind Loftus-Cheek is on, and with 4 British sides ready within the final 16 of the Europa League he might effectively get the chance to show himself on dwelling soil.
None of Loftus-Cheek’s targets confirmed outrageous ability however that made them no much less spectacular, fairly it was his want to succeed in the ball along with his head and ship it goalwards – notably the second – that comes with a purpose document resembling his in 2024.
He was merely hungrier than the Rennes defenders, and rightly earned him a standing ovation at full-time.
Participant Rankings
AC Milan: Maignan 7, Florenzi 8, Kjaer 7, Gabbia 6, Hernandez 7, Musah 7, Reijnders 8, Pulisic 8, Loftus-Cheek 9, Leao 8, Giroud 6. Subs: Bennacer 7, Adli 6, Okafor 7, Thiaw 6, Terracciano 6.
Rennes: Mandanda 6, G Doue 7, Omari 5, Theate 5, Truffert 6, Bourigeaud 4, Matusiwa 5, Santamaria 6, D Doue 4, Kalimuendo 5, Terrier 5. Subs: Gouiri 7, Blas 6, Salah 6, Seidu 6, Nagida 5.
Match Highlights
6’ – FIRST CHANCE: Rafael Leao has taken the primary shot of the sport, however a vital deflection by Omari despatched it up onto the crossbar and out for a nook.
32’ – GOAL! AC MILAN 1-0 RENNES (LOFTUS-CHEEK): It is a deserved lead for AC Milan! Alessandro Florenzi swung a teasing cross in and Ruben Loftus-Cheek attacked it with objective, sending his header arrowing into the underside nook!
47’ – GOAL! AC MILAN 2-0 RENNES (LOFTUS-CHEEK): He is doubled the lead! Milan might have already got one foot within the Europa League spherical of 16, Kjaer flicked the nook on to pressure an outstanding response save from Steve Mandanda, however Loftus-Cheek bought there first with an outstanding diving header.
53’ – GOAL! AC MILAN 3-0 RENNES (LEAO): Is it nonetheless just one foot within the spherical of 16? Leao might have simply iced the tie, he is an outstanding participant that solely misses targets from his recreation however he is snagged one there, netting a pulled-back cross clinically.
58’ – COULD’VE BEEN 4: The nook almost yielded one other purpose! Rennes could not clear the nook as Mandanda flapped on the ball and it dropped to Leao, nevertheless it was a clumsy peak and he could not flip it goalwards with any energy.
Key Stats
- Rennes have by no means overwhelmed an Italian aspect away from dwelling, and that development continues.
- Olivier Giroud missed the prospect to develop into the fourth-oldest goalscorer within the Europa League knockout phases.
