Nottingham Forest v Malmö, Braga vs Rangers, and More – UEFA Europa League Updates
Match Coverage
Key Events
- Match ended: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- Goal scored!: Joël Monteiro scores for Young Boys at 90+1
- Match concluded: Feyenoord defeated 1-3 by Celtic
- Lineups announced: Forest and Malmö lineups
- Team news: Rangers and Braga lineups
- Introduction
League Position
The initial outcomes have significant impact on the Europa League table. The Glasgow side rose to the 17th spot and are back in the secure playoff places.
| Position | Club | Matches | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Final Score: Aston Villa 2-1
Villa managed to hold on for the victory and moved level on points with leaders Midtjylland at the summit of the competition table. The Birmingham club made hard work of that during the closing minutes.
90+1: Monteiro Pulls One Back
Young Boys gave themselves a chance through Monteiro but only have additional time to find an equaliser!
Celtic Secure Victory
A significant and important win for the Scottish team. Despite going 1-0 down, Celtic roared back with goals from the Korean forward, Reo Hatate and the Swedish striker.
Match Updates
The Birmingham side, at the same time, maintained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with around five minutes left at the stadium.
The Dutch forward's brace there sparked furious scenes in the visitors' section, with visiting fans confronting police. Physical altercations occurred and objects thrown at both the police and at the playing surface, with Malen himself being struck in the head by a plastic cup.
Starting XI Revealed
The Reds: The goalkeeper, Abbott, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato, The midfielder, Sangare, The midfielder, The attacker, The winger, Kalimuendo.
Malmö: Ellborg, The defender, Jansson, Duric, Rosler, Haksabanovic, Johnsen, Skogmar, Bolin, The forward, Busanello.
Match official: The German referee (from Germany)
Team News: Rangers v Braga
The Glasgow side: Butland, Tavernier, The center-back, Djiga, The full-back, The midfielder, The midfielder, Raskin, The attacker, The forward, Chermiti.
The Portuguese side: Hornicek, The defender, Lagerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, The midfielder, The experienced midfielder, Gorby, Martinez, Navarro, Ricardo Horta.
Match official: Lindhout (Netherlands)
Match Background
Nottingham Forest v Malmö and past encounters. The two clubs have a historical link, also competing in Forest's most recent continental tour in the UEFA Cup of 1995-96, but it is the European Cup final from 1979 that connects these teams, with the record-breaking signing Trevor Francis scoring the winner of a rather dull championship game to secure historic victory for the red half of Nottingham.
"The legendary management duo, grey-sweatered and anonymous amid all the festivities and cheers, stood for a moment on a bench serenely viewing the revelry," noted the journalist. Theirs has been an extraordinary accomplishment that it is hard to see being repeated – from Second Division to European football in a short period."
Worth mentioning to reflect upon Malmö, who became the pioneering and only Scandinavian side to reach the final under British coach Houghton.
The current fixture is a far cry from that pinnacle, closer perhaps to the earlier European encounter between Forest and Malmö in that era. Forest are absolutely buzzing after thrashing Liverpool at the famous ground on Saturday, while Malmö haven't kicked a competitive ball since 9 November following the end of the Swedish league season. The general expectation is on the English side tonight.
Plenty of other action on offer in this clockwatch. The Glasgow club have already been beaten by a Braga this season. Rangers are at the foot of the competition table at the midpoint of the league phase with precisely zero points. They urgently require a victory if they are to have any hope of making a comeback for a qualification place.
Coverage will persist with all the late games and provide the current standings from the earlier matches, including Villa vs Young Boys and Feyenoord v Celtic.
