Rennes vs AC Milan prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-02-21 17:45.
Rennes have it all to do after losing the first leg of this UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off against Italian giants AC Milan 3-0, their only defeat of the calendar year to date (W8). After beating Clermont 3-1 in league action on Sunday, they’ll now set out to try to do something that’s been achieved only once in this competition before, when Valencia overturned a 3-0 first-leg defeat to Basel to win 5-3 on aggregate (after extra time) in 2013/14.
Of some comfort will be their record of not conceding in two previous home Europa League fixtures against Italian opponents (W1, D1), although losing their final group game at Roazhon Park 3-2 to Villarreal is a less encouraging sign, especially considering the near-miracle they need here. And given they haven’t won at home by a margin wide enough to win the tie in 90 minutes since August, mission improbable is bordering on mission impossible.
But the visitors are beatable, as Monza proved by winning 4-2 on Sunday, a result that pushed Milan even further behind in the chase for the Serie A title this campaign. As they trail rivals Inter by 11 points and are out of the Coppa Italia already, this competition represents their best chance of silverware this term, and they arguably paid the price for squad rotation at the weekend with this game in mind.
The Rossoneri haven’t lost a Europa League away game since December 2018 (W4, D3) but failing to score in four of their last six European road fixtures (W1, D3, L2) might be a cause for concern. As one of those outings saw them lose 3-0 in France to PSG in October, coupled with the fact that in 1996 they squandered a 2-0 first-leg UEFA Cup win at home to lose 3-2 on aggregate to Bordeaux, they’ll be doing everything possible to avoid history repeating itself again in this tie!
Players to watch: Martin Terrier’s brace helped Rennes beat Clermont at the weekend, whilst three of his four Europa League goals have served as match-openers. On the scoresheet against Monza, Milan’s Christian Pulisic has netted three of his last four goals between the 45th and 60th minute.
Hot streak: Four of Milan’s last six matches produced exactly two first-half goals (HT: W2, D3, L1).