AC MILAN TAKE CONTROL OF PLAY-OFF TIE

AC Milan dazzled. The Rossoneri carved out a lead in the first leg of our Europa League play-off, beating Stade Rennais by three goals to nil to put one foot into the next round. A Loftus-Cheek brace and Leão secured a brilliant win at San Siro, which materialised from a convincing team performance. The Rossoneri displayed great determination and patience to take a first-half lead. After the break, hunger and a killer instinct were the order of the day. We're only halfway through but we have a healthy lead to defend. Bravissimi ragazzi.

There were plenty of positives. We'll start with the final result, which yielded a second clean sheet following the Napoli game. Then, we have Ruben Loftus-Cheek's second brace at home following the one he scored against Bologna (he's now on seven in total this season), as well as a special mention for Leão. Finally, we mustn't forget the return of Thiaw. Now, the focus shifts back to league action as the Rossoneri travel to Monza on Sunday evening. Our second leg against Stade Rennais at Roazhon Park is coming up next Thursday, 22 February, at 18:45 CET. There are still at least 90 minutes of football to be played, let's get the job done.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v STADE RENNAIS

MATCH REPORT
AC Milan took control of proceedings from the get-go, stroking the ball around well early on. The first big chance of the match arrived in the seventh minute: Kjær played it forward for Leão, who controlled with his chest and let fly with a strike that was deflected onto the bar by Omari. Reijnders fired over on the volley a minute later, while Musah then failed to hit the target following some fine play by Loftus-Cheek (10’). The Rossoneri continued to press Rennes, who, however, were able to put together some nice passing moves and find spaces in attack. In the 24th minute, a right-footed attempt from Bourigeaud flew narrowly wide of the post. Having survived that scare, Pioli’s men took the lead: Florenzi sent in a cross for Loftus-Cheek, who headed into the bottom corner (32’). As the half drew to a close, there was an opportunity apiece at each end on the counter: an effort from Giroud didn’t have enough power to beat Mandanda (36’), while Maignan was in place to deny Guéla Doué (37’). 1-0 at the break.

The Rossoneri made the perfect start to the second half: Mandanda thwarted Kjær from an AC Milan corner, but Loftus-Cheek was able to bag his second of the night with a diving header on the follow-up. Reijnders and Pulisic then tried to get on the scoresheet as AC Milan’s supremacy grew. A third goal seemed inevitable, and it arrived following a wonderful move (53’): Leão found Hernández with a lovely back-heel flick, and the Frenchman then set up his Portuguese teammate to score with a stunning first-time finish. The Rossoneri were well in control and fresh faces were brought on, but the away side didn’t give up: Gouiri fired wide in the 70th minute, while Maignan then foiled the same player and Santamaria in quick succession (72’). AC Milan went back on the attack, but Pulisic was denied by the goalkeeper and, on the follow-up, Okafor saw his effort blocked (73’). The opportunities kept on coming in the closing stages: Gouri (79’) and Santamaria (81’) both had a go, but to no avail, while Hernández and Bennacer (a free-kick) couldn’t quite hit the target. It finished 3-0.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-0 STADE RENNAIS

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Florenzi (75' Terracciano), Kjær (62' Thiaw), Gabbia, Hernández; Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic (81' Adli), Loftus-Cheek (75' Bennacer), Leão (62' Okafor); Giroud. Subs: Mirante, Sportiello; Bartesaghi, Nsiala; Victor; Jović. Coach: Pioli.

STADE RENNAIS (4-4-2): Mandanda; G. Doué (67' Seidu), Omari, Theate, Truffert (76' Nagida); Bourigeaud, Santamaria, Matusiwa (76' Blas), D. Doué (76' Salah); Kalimuendo (67' Gouiri), Terrier. Subs: Gallon, Lembet; Belocian, Wooh; Cissé; Lambourde, Yildirim. Coach: Stéphan.

Referee: Nikola Dabanović (MNE).
Goals: 32' and 47' Loftus-Cheek (M), 53' Leão (M).
Booked: 87' Nagida (R).

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