Milan limp into last 16, Qarabag edge out Braga in thriller

RENNES, France: AC Milan reached the Europa League last 16 despite a 3-2 loss at Stade Rennais on Thursday as Benjamin Bourigeaud’s hat-trick was not enough for the hosts to stop the Italian side completing a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Azerbaijan’s Qarabag advanced after a thrilling game against Portuguese side Braga which they lost 3-2 after extra time but won the tie 6-5 on aggregate. Rennes, facing an uphill battle after Milan secured an emphatic 3-0 home win in the first leg, started aggressively in rainy conditions.

Bourigeaud scored with a shot into the bottom corner after 11 minutes before Luka Jovic levelled with a powerful header. Bourigeaud converted a penalty nine minutes into the second half after Simon Kjaer’s trip on Martin Terrier, before Rafael Leao equalised in the 58th minute for Milan. “We gave it our all from start to finish, regardless of the position we were in and the goals we conceded. This hat-trick is the reward for a whole team’s effort,” Bourigeaud told UEFA.com.

Rennes were awarded another penalty in the 68th minute after a handball by Jovic and Bourigeaud completed his hat-trick from the spot. “We will all have our opinions coming back, but we have qualified. Getting through to the next round seemed easy in the first leg, it wasn’t an easy affair, but we still have a lot of situations to evaluate,” Milan manager Stefano Pioli told Sky Sports Italy.

Milan, who dropped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group, will find out who they play in the round of 16 on Friday. “I think tonight’s match confirmed that we have a lot of potential going forwards. But we have to concede fewer chances against our opponents,” Pioli added.