After a busted Champions League campaign, Milan continue their continental journey in the Europa League knockout playoff round. Rossoneri’s pursuit of their maiden title in Europe’s second-tier competition commences on Thursday as they encounter Rennes at Stadio San Siro.
Despite failing to make it out of the so-called ‘group of death,’ Milan pulled off a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Newcastle United on the final matchday to secure springtime fixtures on the European front. Since the Europa League title is the only missing piece of silverware in the club’s glittering trophy cabinet, Stefano Pioli’s men won’t take this competition lightly.
Adding to this sentiment, Milan’s hopes of winning their second Scudetto in three years are practically dead in the water, regardless of their outstanding nine-game unbeaten streak in Serie A (W7, D2). With leaders Inter already eight points off with a game in hand and Rossoneri’s Coppa Italia run halted in the quarter-finals, this is their only chance to avoid a second consecutive trophyless season.
Milan will take the field in a buoyant mood after Theo Hernandez’s first-half winner propelled them to their first home league win against defending Serie A champions Napoli since 2014 on Sunday. However, visiting Rennes won’t back away from the challenge, inspired by an eye-catching eight-match winning run across all competitions.
Indeed, Julien Stephan’s high-flyers have won all seven competitive matches since the calendar year flipped to 2024, including a hard-earned 1-0 Ligue 1 triumph at Le Havre last weekend. Like Milan, the French outfit could lift the Europa League crown for the first time after finishing runners-up to Villarreal in Group F.
Match Preview
Milan
Pioli seems to have rebuilt Milan’s home fortress following a stuttering spell in October and early November. Rossoneri have only suffered one defeat in their last eight outings at San Siro (W6, D2). That increases the likelihood of securing an all-important first-leg advantage, though a victory isn’t a foregone conclusion.
Getting on the scoresheet should be a mere formality, though. Milan have found the back of the net in their last 18 games, including their most recent four in European action. Further confidence stems from the seven-time European champions’ impressive track record against French clubs.
A resounding 74% unbeaten ratio across their 50 previous such contests (W27, D10, L13) fills the Milan faithful with confidence ahead of Rennes’ visit. So does Olivier Giroud’s form in 2024, with the veteran forward racking up six goal contributions in seven appearances this calendar year, netting three goals and providing as many assists.
Rennes
Given Milan’s free-scoring form, Rennes’ best chance of leaving San Siro undefeated is to rediscover their defensive solidity. Despite registering a shutout against Le Havre in the build-up to this encounter, Les Rennais had failed to keep a clean sheet in their four previous competitive games, casting doubt on their bid to fend off the Italian powerhouse.
Rennes’ all-time away form against Serie A clubs can only fuel more skepticism, with the Roazhon Park side losing all three previous visits to Italy. That’s not to mention they conceded at least two goals on each occasion. Against this backdrop, their recent form on the road has been nothing short of impressive.
Stephan’s charges have won their last five matches on hostile turf, netting an intimidating 15 goals in that sequence. But it’s worth noting two of those five victories came against second-tier teams Sochaux and Guingamp in the Coupe de France.
Team News
Milan captain Davide Calabria picked up an injury against Napoli and will join long-term absentees Mattia Caldara, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Tommaso Pobega, and Pierre Kalulu on the sidelines. But Pioli will have the rest of his squad fit and ready for this fixture, including Tijjani Reijnders, who missed out on the Napoli game due to suspension.
As for Rennes, Enzo Le Fee and Fabian Rieder are the only missing players as Stephan turns to his talismanic forwards Arnaud Kalimuendo, Martin Terrier, and Benjamin Bouriegaud to deliver the goods in Lombardy.
Milan vs Rennes Potential Lineups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Alessandro Florenzi, Simon Kjaer, Matteo Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Tijjani Reijnders, Yacine Adli; Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.
Rennes (4-4-2): Steve Mandanda; Guela Doue, Warmed Omari, Arthur Theate, Adrien Truffert; Benjamin Bourigeaud, Azor Matusiwa, Baptiste Santamaria, Desire Doue; Arnaud Kalimuendo, Martin Terrier.
Milan vs Rennes Prediction
Despite Rennes’ remarkable away form, we expect Milan to live up to their tag as pre-match favorites and make a crucial step to reaching the next knockout round. Pioli’s men are firing on all cylinders, leading us to believe a high-scoring affair could be in store.
Prediction: Milan Win
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