AC Milan, Benfica Book Spots In Europa League Last 16

AC Milan defeated a spirited Rennes 5-3 on aggregate despite a 3-2 setback in Thursday’s second leg to advance to the Europa League last 16, where they will be joined by fellow former European Champions Benfica.

Rennes’ Benjamin Bourigeaud scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, but Milan’s Luka Jovic and Rafael Leao ensured they never lost their 3-0 lead from the first leg.

Benfica also defeated French opponents, with a 0-0 draw away to Toulouse enough to send the Portuguese club through after a 2-1 win in the first leg in Lisbon last week.

Marseille will play Shakhtar Donetsk tonight in Jean-Louis Gasset’s first match as manager since Gennaro Gattuso’s departure. The tie is deadlocked at 2-2 following the first match in Hamburg.

Roma, last season’s runners-up, face Feyenoord in the Italian city following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Sporting Lisbon leads Swiss champions Young Boys 3-1 heading into the second leg, while Galatasaray leads Sparta Prague 3-2.

The last-16 draw will take place on Friday at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

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