After the Nantes feat and the qualification of AS Monaco for the 16th finals, the sixth and final day of the group stage of the Europa League continued this Thursday, with eight games scheduled at 9 p.m. The last French representative, Stade Rennais welcomed AEK Larnaca with the firm ambition of taking first place in the group B, synonymous with direct qualification. For this crucial poster, Bruno Genesio thus opted for a 4-3-3 where Kalimuendo and Terrier accompanied Abline on the front of the attack. On the Cypriot side, José Luis Oltra, the Spanish tactician, lined up a 4-2-3-1 with Olatunji, alone in the lead.
Forced to impose themselves largely to hope to overtake Fenerbahce in the standings, the Breton club rushed on the offensive at the start of the match. Intentions rewarded since the young Abline took advantage of a high recovery from Bourigeaud to escape and open the scoring (1-0, 17th). On their way, the Rennais even thought of making the break a few moments later but Majer saw his goal disallowed for an offside at the start of the action (22nd). Overall dominating but sometimes imprecise technically, the Red and Blacks continued to impose their rhythm but neither Abline (29th, 32nd) nor Assignon (40th) managed to double the lead.
Stade Rennais disappoints and will play the play-offs…
Upon returning from the locker room, the face of this meeting hardly changed. Slightly asleep, Bruno Genesio’s men left the leather to the visitors and Gyurcso, with a strike from the left corner of the area, was dangerous (63rd). Despite a slight awakening and a header from the newcomer, Gifted (67th), Rennes did not show themselves to be sharp enough. And what had to happen happened. Just entering the game, Lopes, opportunistic, equalized for the Cypriots (1-1, 76th). In the other match of this group, the Turks of Fenerbahçe easily won on the lawn of Dynamo kyiv (2-0) and thus retained first place. With this result, the gang of Jorge Jesus goes directly to the round of 16. For its part, Stade Rennais will have to go through the play-offs to reach the final table of this Europa League.
In the other matches this evening, Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven, already qualified in Group A, won respectively against Zürich (1-0) and Bodø / Glimt (2-1). In Group C, AS Roma, carried by Pellegrini’s double from the penalty spot, validated their ticket for the play-offs of this Europa League thanks to their snatch success against Ludogorets (2-1). At the same time, Betis, for its part, consolidated its first place by overcoming HJK Helsinki (2-0). Finally in Pool D, Union Berlin won by a short margin against Union Saint-Gilloise (1-0). A precious victory that allows Urs Fischer’s men to keep second place, synonymous with play-offs, at the expense of Braga, who defeated Malmö FF (2-1).
All 9 p.m. results
Group A
Arsenal 1-0 Zurich: Tierney (17th)
Bodø / Glimt 1-2 PSV Eindhoven : Zugelj (90+3rd) / Sampsted (35th, csc) and Bakayoko (52nd)
Group B
Group C
Rome 3-1 Ludogorets: Pellegrini (56th, sp, 65th, sp) and Zaniolo (85th) / Lima Morais (41st)
Real Betis 3-0 HJK Helsinki: Ruibal (20th, 40th) and Fekir (90+3rd)
Group D