PLAYER RATINGS | Rennes 3-2 Milan: Bretons bow out of the Europa League with honors
A week after their damning 3-0 away defeat at San Siro, Rennes had to pull off the greatest feat in their history to eliminate European powerhouse AC Milan and qualify for the Europa League RO16. The Rossoneri went close to silence the vibrant Roazhon Park early on with Rafael Leão pulling away from his man and Steve Mandanda parrying the Portuguese’s effort. Arthur Theate then thwarted the former Lille winger with an impeccable last-ditch tackle.
Rennes needed an early goal to foster any remaining hopes to mount an unlikely comeback, and this is exactly what they got. Benjamin Bourigeaud lashed a powerful low shot past France international goalie Mike Maignan to send the Roazhon Park bouncing. A deserved lead considering the visitors were unable to match the hosts’ intensity.
As the pace slowed down, Stefano Pioli’s side had more time to find openings in Rennes’ defense. Tijjani Reinders brought the ball upfield before feeding Theo Hernandez whose first-time cross found the unmarked Luka Jovic. In a flash, Milan had restored their three-goal cushion but they had to rely on Maignan to parry a Bourigeaud free-kick and a half-volley from Arnaud Kalimuendo. Milan did whatever it took to frustrate the hosts and play the waiting game, with a spot in the RO16 firmly in the bag at half-time.
Rennes started the second half with a bout of pressure, but Maignan was not remotely threatened with Martin Terrier getting too isolated. However, Rennes’ talismanic striker got in the act by obtaining a relatively soft penalty. The ever-reliable Bourigeaud stepped up from the spot to reduce the aggregate deficit to only two goals, for too short a time though. Leão steered clear of Omari before the centre-back made a hash of his sliding
Read on getfootballnewsfrance.com
