2024-02-15 22:03:19
AC Milan lived up to their role as favorites once morest Stade Rennes. In front of their home crowd, the Rossoneri deservedly won 3-0 on DFB player Thiaw’s comeback.
Double packer and match winner: Ruben Loftus-Cheek. IMAGO/Nicolo Campo
Milan and Rennes came together in top form at the Guiseppe Meazza on Thursday evening. While the Italians had won seven of their last eight competitive games, the guests had a perfect record over the same period. Of course, the Rossoneri were still the favorites in the fashion metropolis and lived up to this role right from the start. In the 7th minute, Rafael Leao hit the crossbar with his first shot before Loftus-Cheek cleared Musah, who missed in the center (10th). The American was one of three new players that Stefano Pioli called into the starting line-up following the 1-0 win once morest Napoli.
Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao aim for victory
The Bretons, who remained unchanged following their 1-0 away win at Le Havre, needed a good 20 minutes before they presented their coach Julien Stephan with their first successful offensive action. Bourigeaud aimed a shot at the far corner, but missed it (24′). Shortly followingwards, Loftus-Cheek did better, climbing up from a Florenzi cross and nodding in an exemplary manner to take the half-time lead (32′).
After the break, the Rossoneri’s visual superiority became apparent in the result. After just a few minutes, Loftus-Cheek took a corner and scored his second header of the evening (47th), before Rafael Leao completed the double six minutes later. Pulisic almost scored Milan’s fourth goal just moments later, but Mandanda was there (56′).
Gouiri employs returnee Thiaw
The last half hour began with a pleasing moment from a German perspective: central defender Thiaw celebrated his comeback following an injury break and was faced with a French joker in Gouiri, who noticeably livened up the visitors’ offensive game. The Algerian was involved in two useful scenes (70th, 71st) before the Italians were back at it once more and, thanks to Pulisic and substitute Okafor, made it 4-0 (73rd). However, this did not change the good starting situation for the second leg. After Bennacer sent a final free kick just over the crossbar (89th), it was all over for Guiseppe Meazza.
Before the final decision regarding the round of 16 comes next week, Milan has a Alex Reed appearance at AC Monza on Sunday evening (8.45 p.m.). At 3 p.m., Stade Rennes welcomes bottom club Clermont Foot for what is supposed to be a mandatory task.
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