AC Milan Advances Despite losing a thriller to Rennes

AC Milan secured their place in Friday’s Europa League last-16 draw despite a thrilling loss to Rennes.

Trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Italy, Rennes gave their fans hope of a memorable comeback when Benjamin Bourigeaud scored in the 11th minute.

AC Milan equalised with Luka Jovic’s header before Bourigeaud’s penalty put the home team back in front.

Rafael Leao scored to level the game once more, and Bourigeaud secured his hat-trick with another penalty.

However, AC Milan emerged victorious in the knockout round play-off tie with a 5-3 aggregate score.

Former Chelsea player Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who netted two goals in the initial match, entered the game as a substitute in the latter half for AC Milan.

They will not be seeded in Friday’s draw, so they might face one of the seeded British teams like Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton, or Rangers.

In another development, Roma advanced on penalties against Feyenoord.

After the game ended in a 2-2 tie following 120 minutes of play, with both legs finishing 1-1, keeper Mile Svilar saved two penalty kicks as Roma emerged victorious in the shootout, winning 4-2.

Azerbaijan’s Qarabag advanced after beating Sporting Braga 6-5 on aggregate, even though they lost the second leg 3-2 in a thrilling night in Baku.

Nariman Akhundzade, aged 19, netted the crucial goal for the home team, despite being a player short since the 57th minute, in the 122nd minute of the game.

Following a scoreless initial match, Freiburg managed to overturn a 2-0 deficit at their home stadium against Lens to secure a 3-2 victory in extra time. Michael Gregoritsch, the Austrian forward, netted the winning goal in the 99th minute for the German team.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 34, and Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net as Marseille secured a 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, advancing with a 5-3 aggregate score. Sporting Lisbon, Sparta Prague, and Benfica also advanced to the next round.