AC Milan are already on the verge of the UEFA Europa League last-16 after a statement 3-0 win against Rennes in the first leg of the playoff round.The Rossonerri celebrated a much-deserved victory at San Siro, primarily thanks to unplayable Ruben Loftus-Cheek. With a goal in each half, the former Chelsea player’s brace pushed the hosts two goals up before Rafael Leao sealed the triumph with a lovely effort seven minutes into the second half.Loftus-Cheek ⚽️⚽️#UEL pic.twitter.com/rPftaabLrA— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 15, 2024 Stefano Pioli’s team dominated the game, while the Ligue 1 side struggled to make any serious impact in the opposing half despite more than 10 attempts.Bennacer had a promising chance to make it 4-0 seconds before the stoppage time, but his free-kick from close range went slightly over the bar.A three-goal advantage ahead of the return leg, scheduled for the next Thursday, should be enough for the Italians to advance to the next round.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUEPlayoff round – first legThursdayFeyenoord – AS Roma 1-1 (1-0)/Paixao 45+1 – Lukaku 67/Galatasaray – Sparta Prague 3-2 (1-0)/Demirbay 45+1, Krejci 61 og, Icardi 90+1 – Preciado 47, Kuchta 65/Shakhtar Donetsk – Olympique de Marseille 2-2 (0-0)/Matviienko 68, Eguinaldo 90+3 – Aubameyang 64, Ndiaye 90/Young Boys – Sporting CP 1-3 (1-2)/Ugrinic 42 – Amenda 31 og, Gyokeres 41 pen, Inacio 48/AC Milan – Rennes 3-0 (1-0)/Loftus-Cheek 32, 47, Leao 52/Lens – Freiburg 0-0Benfica – Toulouse 2-1 (0-0)/Di Maria 68 pen, 90+9 pen – Desler 75/Braga – Qarabag 2-4 (1-1)/Banza 44, Moutinho 90+2 pen – Jankovic 21 pen, Zoubir 54, 69, Vieira 65/
