Rennes vs AC Milan Prediction & Betting Tips (22 February)

Aware that it was not necessary to return full suitcases from Italy on the way out, Rennes clearly lacked character against a "big" European and must now climb Everest to make up for a 3-0 defeat. However, the Bretons had perfectly prepared for this first leg by going no less than 9 matches without defeat in all competitions including 8 successive victories. In order to regain a smile and morale after the Italian rout, the three-time winner of the Coupe de France did the job last weekend in the championship to receive the red lantern, Clermont winning 3-1. Thanks to its incredible national series, Rennes has returned to the gates of European places in Ligue 1 7th and will play the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France next week. "The job is not finished", that is the speech adopted by the Milan players after their almost perfect score in the first leg in front of their fans.

In recent years, we have often seen that no qualification is decided in advance only at the end of the first leg and the Milanese are well aware of this. Let us remember, however, that the 7 times winner of the Champions League expects a lot from this Europa League after having managed to finish 3rd in the "death" group with PSG, Newcastle and BVB in C1. Furthermore, in the league, despite a good 3rd place, the Rossoneri were significantly behind by 11 points on their neighbor, Inter Milan following their loss last weekend in Milan 4-2. This defeat broke a great series of 9 matches without defeat for Milan in Serie A for a record of 7 victories.

For the trip to San Siro last week, the crack Enzo Le Fée (the bubble in the championship) was not in support (injured) just like Rieder (rotation), also injured. For the rest, the group was complete and this should be the case again this evening at home with in particular Benjamin Bourigeaud (6 goals, 2 assists in L1), the attackers Kalimuendo (5 pawns) and Martin Terrier (5 goals, 2 cakes, double in the championship last weekend) without forgetting important elements such as Blas (ex-Nantes), Gouiri (3 goals in L1), the crack Doué (3 pawns) or even the experienced, Mandanda. Note the strong uncertainty around the young Cameroonian talent, Nagida (rotation, absent in the championship against Clermont). On the Milan side, the right side, Calabria still seems fair (injured) and will surely be retained by the medical staff. Same story regarding Caldara (absent for weeks), Tricolore Kalulu (important) without forgetting Pobega (rotation) and the crucial one in the central hinge, Tomori.

Note the absence in the first leg of the African vice-champion with Nigeria, Samuel Chukwueze (ex-Villarreal) who could be back this evening, at least in the group. Already massive in the midfield against PSG in the Champions League, Loftus-Cheek was rewarded with a double during the first leg against Rennais and the possible replacement for Kylian Mbappé at PSG, Leao was responsible for registering his little pawn too. In the wake of a call-up for the Euro with France, the top scorer in the history of the Coq selection, Giroud (12 goals, 8 assists in SA, scorer coming off the bench against Monza) is all close to obtaining a contract extension with the club and will probably return to French soil this evening as a starter.