Malmö vs Nottingham Forest, Braga vs Rangers, and More – Europa League News
Live Updates
Key Events
- Match ended: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- Score!: Joël Monteiro scores for Young Boys at 90+1
- Match concluded: Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic
- Lineups announced: Forest and Malmö lineups
- Team news: Starting XI for Rangers vs Braga
- Introduction
Current Table
These early results greatly affect the competition standings. Celtic have moved up to the 17th spot and returned to the secure playoff places.
| Rank | Team | Played | Difference | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Full-time: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys
Villa managed to hold on for the three points and became tied on points with leaders Midtjylland at the peak of the group rankings. The English side made hard work of that at the end.
Late Goal: Monteiro Scores
The Swiss side created a lifeline through Monteiro but only have additional time to get the tying goal!
Glasgow Side Wins 3-1
A memorable and crucial win for the Scottish team. Despite going 1-0 down, Celtic fought back with goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Hatate and Nygren.
Game Developments
The Birmingham side, at the same time, retained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with roughly 300 seconds left at their home ground.
Malen's second goal there sparked furious scenes in the visitors' section, with Swiss fans confronting police. Scuffles broke out and items launched at both the police and at the playing surface, with Malen himself being hit on the head by a drinking vessel.
Lineups: Forest vs Malmö
The Reds: Victor, Abbott, The center-back, Murillo, The full-back, Yates, Sangare, Dominguez, McAtee, The winger, Kalimuendo.
Malmö FF: The goalkeeper, Stryger Larsen, Jansson, Duric, The full-back, Haksabanovic, The midfielder, Skogmar, Bolin, Gudjohnsen, Busanello.
Match official: Harm Osmers (German)
Lineups: Rangers vs Braga
The Light Blues: Butland, The defender, The center-back, Djiga, The full-back, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, The attacker, Danilo, Chermiti.
The Portuguese side: Hornicek, Gomez, Lagerbielke, Niakate, The full-back, Zalazar, The experienced midfielder, The midfielder, The attacker, Navarro, Horta.
Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
Historical Context
Forest vs Malmö and past encounters. The these sides have a historical link, also facing each other in Forest's most recent continental tour in the 1995-96 Uefa Cup, but it is the continental championship decades past that connects these teams, with Britain's first £1m player Francis heading the only goal of a rather dull championship game to secure historic victory for the the English club.
"The legendary management duo, modestly dressed amid all the festivities and cheers, stood for a moment on a bench calmly observing the celebrations," wrote the match reporter. Their achievement was an outstanding achievement that it is unlikely to be replicated – from Second Division to European stage in a short period."
It's also interesting to pause a little on Malmö, who became the first, and to date the last Scandinavian side to advance to the ultimate game under English manager Bob Houghton.
This match is a very different to that peak, closer perhaps to the Uefa Cup first-round tie between Forest and Malmö in the mid-nineties. Forest are riding high after beating Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Saturday, while Malmö haven't played officially since last month following the completion of Allsvenskan. The general expectation is on the home team tonight.
Numerous other matches on offer in this clockwatch. Rangers have already been defeated by a Portuguese opponent this season. Rangers are at the foot of the 36-team Europa League standings at the half-way stage of the league phase with no points whatsoever. They desperately need a victory if they are to have any opportunity for a late surge for a knockout position.
Coverage will persist with all nine of the 8pm kick-offs and provide the current standings from the earlier matches, including Aston Villa v Young Boys and the Dutch-Scottish clash.
