Nottingham Forest v Malmö, Rangers v Braga, and More – Europa League Updates
Match Coverage
Important Updates
- Full-time: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- GOAL!: Late goal from Monteiro makes it 2-1
- Game over: Feyenoord defeated 1-3 by Celtic
- Lineups announced: Nottingham Forest v Malmö teams!
- Lineups revealed: Rangers v Braga teams!
- Preamble
Latest Standings
The opening scores strongly influence the competition standings. Celtic have moved up to the 17th spot and returned to the secure playoff places.
| Rank | Side | Played | 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
Aston Villa secured for the victory and went equal on points with table-toppers Midtjylland at the top of the league phase standings. The Birmingham club had difficulty of that during the closing minutes.
Late Goal: Monteiro Scores
Young Boys gave themselves a chance through Monteiro but were left with stoppage time to find an equaliser!
Glasgow Side Wins 3-1
A memorable and crucial win for the Celtic. Even after falling 1-0 down, Celtic roared back with goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Reo Hatate and Nygren.
Game Developments
Villa, meanwhile, held onto a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with roughly 300 seconds left at the stadium.
Malen's double there triggered intense reactions in the opposition stands, with visiting fans confronting police. Punches were thrown and objects thrown at both the police and toward the field, with Malen himself being struck in the head by a drinking vessel.
Lineups: Forest vs Malmö
Nottingham Forest: Victor, Abbott, Milenkovic, The defender, Morato, The midfielder, Sangare, The midfielder, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo.
The Swedish side: Ellborg, The defender, Jansson, Duric, Rosler, The midfielder, Johnsen, Skogmar, The attacker, Gudjohnsen, Busanello.
Referee: Harm Osmers (from Germany)
Starting Players
The Glasgow side: The goalkeeper, Tavernier, Fernandez, The defender, The full-back, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, Gassama, Danilo, Chermiti.
Braga: Hornicek, The defender, Lagerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Zalazar, Joao Moutinho, The midfielder, Martinez, Navarro, Ricardo Horta.
Referee: The Dutch referee (Netherlands)
Match Background
The European clash and memories of 1979. The two clubs have a historical link, also competing in Forest's last European campaign in the mid-90s European competition, but it is the continental championship decades past that entwines these two together, with the record-breaking signing the English forward scoring the winner of a rather dull championship game to claim legendary status 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 mafficking," wrote the match reporter. This represented an extraordinary accomplishment that it is unlikely to be replicated – from second tier to European football in three seasons."
Worth mentioning to reflect upon Malmö, who became the initial and final Scandinavian side to make the championship match under English manager Bob Houghton.
This match is a far cry from that summit, closer perhaps to the earlier European encounter between Forest and Malmö in that era. Forest are full of confidence after defeating Liverpool convincingly at Anfield on Saturday, while Malmö haven't kicked a competitive ball since 9 November following the conclusion of their domestic campaign. The popular prediction is on the home team tonight.
Additional games on offer in this clockwatch. The Glasgow club have already been lost to a Portuguese opponent this season. Rangers are rock bottom of the 36-team Europa League standings at the middle of the group stage with no points whatsoever. They desperately need a victory if they are to have any chance of achieving a comeback for a playoff spot.
Updates will continue with all the late games and provide the current standings from the earlier matches, including Aston Villa v Young Boys and Rotterdam vs Glasgow.
