The four best Milan players in Europa League win over Rennes: ex Chelsea man ‘an alien’ | OneFootball

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the undisputed Man Of The Match in Milan‘s 3-0 win over Rennes on Thursday, but three other Rossoneri players impressed at the Stadio Meazza.

Milan are close to qualifying for the Europa League Round of 16 after beating Ligue 1 side Rennes 3-0 in the knockout playoff first leg on Thursday.

English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek made headlines by scoring two goals, so it’s no surprise he was named MOTM by all three Italian sports papers: Gazzetta, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport.

La Gazzetta compared the ex-Chelsea man to ‘an alien’ adding that RLC is a ‘complete footballer.’

The 28-year-old has now netted seven times in 26 games across all competitions this term, scoring six goals in 2024.

His teammates Alessandro Florenzi, Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, were praised by Italian newspapers on Friday. Florenzi delivered the assist for RLC’s opener, Theo inspired two Milan goals, and Leao found the net for the first time since November 7.

It was a perfect night for the Rossoneri and their coach, Stefano Pioli, who was rated 7.5/10 by Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport and 7/10 by Tuttosport.

Milan player ratings v. Rennes

Gazzetta: Maignan 6.5; Florenzi 7 (75’ Terracciano 6), Kjær 6.5 (62’ Thiaw 6), Gabbia 7, Theo Hernández 7; Musah 6.5, Reijnders 6.5; Pulisic 7 (81’ Adli 6), Loftus-Cheek 8 (75’ Bennacer 6), Leão 8 (62’ Okafor 6); Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 7.5

Corriere dello Sport: Maignan 6.5; Florenzi 7.5 (75’ Terracciano N/A), Kjær 6.5 (62’ Thiaw 6), Gabbia 7, Theo Hernández 7.5; Musah 6.5, Reijnders 6; Pulisic 6.5 (81’ Adli N/A), Loftus-Cheek 8 (75’ Bennacer N/A), Leão 7.5 (62’ Okafor 6); Giroud 6. Coach: Pioli 7.5

Tuttosport: Maignan 6.5; Florenzi 7 (75’ Terracciano N/A), Kjær 6.5 (62’ Thiaw 6), Gabbia 6.5, Theo Hernández 7; Musah 6, Reijnders 6; Pulisic 6.5 (81’ Adli N/A), Loftus-Cheek 8 (75’ Bennacer 6), Leão 7 (62’ Okafor 6); Giroud 5.5. Coach: Pioli 7