Nottingham Forest v Malmö, Rangers vs Braga, and More – Europa League News
Match Coverage
Key Events
- Match ended: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- Score!: Joël Monteiro scores for Young Boys at 90+1
- Match concluded: Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic
- Team news: Starting players for Forest vs Malmö
- Starting players: Rangers v Braga teams!
- Preamble
League Position
These early results have significant impact on the Europa League table. Celtic have moved up to 17th position and regained position in the secure knockout positions.
| Rank | Club | 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 |
Match Result: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
The English side clung on for the win and became tied on points with leaders Midtjylland at the top of the league phase standings. The English side made hard work of that at the end.
Late Goal: Monteiro Scores
Young Boys earned a chance through Monteiro but had just additional time to find an equaliser!
Celtic Secure Victory
A famous and valuable win for the Scottish team. Despite going 1-0 down, Celtic fought back with goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate and the Swedish striker.
Match Updates
Aston Villa, at the same time, retained 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 Swiss fans engaging with police. Physical altercations occurred and items launched at both the officers and toward the field, with the goalscorer being hit on the head by a plastic cup.
Team News: Nottingham Forest v Malmö
Nottingham Forest: Victor, Abbott, Milenkovic, The defender, The full-back, Yates, Sangare, The midfielder, The attacker, Hudson-Odoi, The striker.
Malmö: Ellborg, The defender, Jansson, Duric, Rosler, Haksabanovic, Johnsen, Skogmar, Bolin, The forward, The striker.
Match official: Osmers (Germany)
Lineups: Rangers vs Braga
The Glasgow side: The goalkeeper, Tavernier, Fernandez, Djiga, The full-back, The midfielder, Diomande, Raskin, Gassama, Danilo, The striker.
The Arsenalistas: The goalkeeper, The defender, Lagerbielke, The defender, Arrey-Mbi, Zalazar, The experienced midfielder, Gorby, The attacker, Navarro, Horta.
Match official: Allard Lindhout (Holland)
Match Background
Nottingham Forest v Malmö and memories of 1979. The these sides have a unique relationship, also meeting in Forest's most recent continental tour in the mid-90s European competition, but it is the European Cup final 46 years ago that links these clubs, with Britain's first £1m player Francis heading the only goal of a rather dull championship game to secure historic victory for the Forest supporters.
"Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, modestly dressed amid all the excitement and joy, stood for a moment on a bench serenely viewing the revelry," wrote the match reporter. This represented an outstanding achievement that it is hard to see being repeated – from second tier to European stage in just three years."
One should note to consider Malmö, who became the initial and final Scandinavian side to make the championship match under manager 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 full of confidence after beating Liverpool 3-0 at Liverpool's home on Saturday, while Malmö haven't played officially since 9 November following the completion of Allsvenskan. The general expectation is on the English side tonight.
Plenty of other action on offer in this clockwatch. Rangers have already been defeated by a Braga this season. Rangers are last place of the league rankings at the middle of the league phase with precisely zero points. They badly want a victory if they are to have any chance of achieving a comeback for a qualification place.
We'll keep you up to date with all nine of the 8pm kick-offs and provide the current standings from the concluded fixtures, including the Birmingham match and Feyenoord v Celtic.
