Europa League: Rennes takes the broth, Lens hanging and Toulouse crucified

Continuation and end of the Europa League play-offs this Thursday, after a first salvo of the match at the start of the evening. Three French clubs on the track, no victory to report. The most worrying situation ahead of the return match next week is that of Rennes, crushed 3-0 in Milan. At the same time, Lens conceded a draw against Friborg (0-0). Finally, TFC thought they would bring back a good draw from Lisbon, against Benfica. This was without counting on a penalty converted by former Parisian Angel Di Maria in the final moments (2-1). Note the success of the Azerbaijanis from Qarabag to Braga (2-4). Earlier, OM were joined twice against Shakhtar (2-2), in Hamburg.

Returned to the Europa League after an honorable run in the Champions League, Lens attacked the C3 play-offs with a certain appetite. But the Sang et Or were almost crushed from the start with a shot on the bar from Sallai (19th) after a sluggish start to the game. Before the half hour mark, the Lensois pushed several times but attempts from Sotoca or Pereira Da Costa went over the top.

Apathetic, clumsy, even timid, Franck Haise's men avoided the worst at the hour mark, when Danso magnificently saved his team on his line after a strike from Eggestein. Note that the Lensois defender will miss the return match after his yellow card received in the first period. Heckled, Sotoca's teammates thought they had delivered Bollaert thanks to Haïdara's two-step goal (71st) before the match referee refused it for a handball from the latter. Lens wasted a great opportunity and will have to do much better next Thursday (6:45 p.m.) in Fribourg, to try to continue their European adventure.

From the start, AC Milan did not let their opponent breathe and took over the Rennes camp. The statistics spoke for themselves, with already five corners and 80% possession for the Lombards after around twenty minutes! The Bretons put up resistance, until the 32nd and a center from Florenzi. Loftus-Cheek took care of the rest. The referee sent the two teams back to the locker room, with the logical score being 1-0.

In the second half, the intentions remained the same and MIlan added to the score, Loftus-Cheek scoring a double with a header taking advantage of a corner poorly cleared by the Breton defense (48th). The Italians were enjoying their strong moment. The Hernandez-Leao duo was hurting, the Frenchman serving his Portuguese teammate, who adjusted Mandanda with a flat foot (53rd). Despite the Rennes revolt, Milan kept a clean sheet (3-0 final score). Perfect shot.

Winner of Liverpool in the group stage, Toulouse traveled to Benfica with the ambition of improving an average season. 14th in Ligue 1 and eliminated from the Coupe de France, the TFC only has the C3 to thrill. So, against Benfica, Toulouse took out the warm-up blue and defended themselves throughout the first period. The Portuguese were defeated by a courageous purple defense (0-0 MT). Toulouse asserted itself even more after the break... until this hand fault from Logan Costa; sanctioned by a penalty from Di Maria (68th). Not dejected however, the visitors snatched the equalizer with a superb volley from Dessler (78th). Alas, the fate of the match changed in stoppage time on a foul by Elebi in the area. Double punishment, red as a bonus. And Di Maria who did not miss the opportunity to offer victory to his team (2-1 final score).