Malmö vs Nottingham Forest, Rangers v Braga, and Additional – UEFA Europa League News
Match Coverage
Key Events
- Full-time: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- GOAL!: Joël Monteiro scores for Young Boys at 90+1
- Full-time: Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic
- Lineups announced: Starting players for Forest vs Malmö
- Starting players: Starting XI for Rangers vs Braga
- Introduction
League Position
The opening scores greatly affect the competition standings. Celtic climbed to the 17th spot and are back in the safety of playoff places.
| Rank | Team | Matches | Goal Difference | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midtjylland | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 5 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 | Freiburg | 5 | 5 | 11 |
| 4 | Ferencvaros | 5 | 4 | 11 |
| 5 | FC Porto | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 17 | Celtic | 5 | -1 | 7 |
| 25 | Nottm Forest | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 35 | Rangers | 4 | -7 | 0 |
| 33 | Malmo FF | 4 | -5 | 1 |
Match Result: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
The English side clung on for the win and became tied on points with front-runners Midtjylland at the top of the competition table. Villa made hard work of that during the closing minutes.
90+1: Monteiro Pulls One Back
Young Boys gave themselves a hope through Monteiro but had just four more minutes to find an equaliser!
Glasgow Side Wins 3-1
A memorable and crucial win for the Glasgow side. Despite going 1-0 down, Celtic responded strongly with goals from the Korean forward, Hatate and the Swedish striker.
Game Developments
Villa, at the same time, maintained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with around five minutes left at the stadium.
Malen's second goal there sparked furious scenes in the visitors' section, with Swiss fans engaging with police. Physical altercations occurred and items launched at both the police and at the playing surface, with the player being struck in the head by a throwable object.
Team News: Nottingham Forest v Malmö
Nottingham Forest: John Victor, Abbott, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato, The midfielder, Sangare, Dominguez, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo.
Malmö FF: Ellborg, Stryger Larsen, Jansson, Duric, Rosler, Haksabanovic, Johnsen, Skogmar, Bolin, The forward, Busanello.
Referee: The German referee (from Germany)
Lineups: Rangers vs Braga
The Light Blues: Butland, The defender, Fernandez, The defender, Aarons, Barron, The midfielder, The midfielder, The attacker, The forward, Chermiti.
Braga: Hornicek, Gomez, Lagerbielke, The defender, Arrey-Mbi, The midfielder, Moutinho, Gorby, Martinez, Navarro, Horta.
Referee: Lindhout (Netherlands)
Historical Context
Nottingham Forest v Malmö and memories of 1979. The these sides have a historical link, also competing in Forest's most recent continental tour in the 1995-96 Uefa Cup, but it is the continental championship 46 years ago that connects these teams, with the groundbreaking transfer the English forward netting the decisive goal of a largely forgettable match to claim legendary status for the Forest supporters.
"The legendary management duo, unassuming and low-key amid all the colour and celebration, stood for a moment on a bench calmly observing the revelry," wrote the match reporter. Their achievement was an outstanding achievement that it is unlikely to be replicated – from Second Division to European stage in three seasons."
One should note to pause a little on Malmö, who became the pioneering and only Scandinavian side to reach the final under English manager Bob Houghton.
This match is a distant from that peak, closer perhaps to the previous continental meeting between Forest and Malmö in 1995-96. Forest are riding high after defeating Liverpool convincingly at Anfield on Saturday, while Malmö haven't played officially since early November following the end of the Swedish league season. The popular prediction is on the home team tonight.
Numerous other matches on offer in this clockwatch. Rangers have already been lost to a Portuguese opponent this season. Rangers are at the foot of the league rankings at the midpoint of the group stage with precisely zero points. They desperately need a victory if they are to have any hope of making a late surge for a knockout position.
Coverage will persist with all nine of the 8pm kick-offs and provide the most recent results from the concluded fixtures, including Villa vs Young Boys and the Dutch-Scottish clash.
