The step was far too high for Stade Rennes. In search of an exploit on the San Siro pitch, against AC Milan, the Bretons were completely overwhelmed by the speed and quality of play of the Milanese. Without really forcing, the Rossoneri already have one foot and four toes in the round of 16 of the Europa League, thanks to their clear victory (3-0) in this play-off match. Ruben Loftus-Cheek first scored twice, before Rafael Leão set the final score.
The first hard blow came in the 32nd minute of play. Left alone on his right flank, Alessandro Florenzi had all the time necessary to send a precise cross to the head of Loftus-Cheek. With a crossed header, the Englishman calmly deceived Steve Mandanda, the Rennes goalkeeper. The midfielder then doubled the lead at the start of the second half, again with a header, but this time from a corner. Five minutes later, former Lille player Rafael Leão widened the gap even further with a beautiful, tense strike. The task therefore promises to be complicated, if not impossible, for the Bretons next Thursday, despite Roazhon Park undoubtedly in meltdown.
Defeat for Toulouse, draw for Lens and Marseille
Toulouse is also in unfavorable waivers. Traveling to Lisbon, on Benfica’s pitch, the Toulouse side were dominated for a long time, and ended up breaking down in stoppage time (2-1). The Lisbon side first struck via a penalty scored by former Parisian Angel Di Maria in the 68th minute, before Mikkel Desler, receiving a cross from Thijs Dallinga, equalized. It was ultimately a second penalty, also scored by Di Maria, which cost Téfécé the match, which is obliged to win at the Stadium in a week.
For its part, RC Lens will have to seek its qualification away. This Thursday evening, the Sang et Or did not manage to make the difference against Friborg (0-0), despite the fervor of the Bollaert-Delelis stadium. The Lensois, however, thought they had done the hardest part when Massadio Haïdara opened the scoring in the 70th minute. However, his goal was ultimately canceled due to offside. The qualification will be played in Germany.
Earlier in the evening, Olympique de Marseille also conceded a narrow draw against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2). The Phocaeans nevertheless led twice, thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Iliman Ndiaye, but never managed to maintain this advantage for more than four minutes. They too will have to seek their qualification at home, at the Orange Vélodrome.
