Nottingham Forest v Malmö, Rangers v Braga, and Additional – Europa League Updates
Match Coverage
Major Moments
- Full-time: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- Goal scored!: Joël Monteiro scores for Young Boys at 90+1
- Match concluded: Celtic 3-1 Feyenoord
- Lineups announced: Forest and Malmö lineups
- Team news: Starting XI for Rangers vs Braga
- Preamble
Current Table
The opening scores have significant impact on the competition standings. Celtic have moved up to 17th position and regained position in the secure qualification spots.
| Position | Side | Matches | 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 became tied on points with leaders Midtjylland at the top of the competition table. The Birmingham club had difficulty of that in the final stages.
90+1: Monteiro Pulls One Back
The Swiss side created a chance through Monteiro but only have four more minutes to find an equaliser!
Celtic Secure Victory
A memorable and crucial win for the Scottish team. Despite going 1-0 down, Celtic responded strongly with goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Hatate and Nygren.
Latest Action
Villa, at the same time, retained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with roughly 300 seconds left at Villa Park.
Malen's second goal there sparked furious scenes in the opposition stands, with Young Boys supporters confronting police. Scuffles broke out and projectiles hurled 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: John Victor, The defender, Milenkovic, The defender, Morato, The midfielder, Sangare, The midfielder, McAtee, The winger, Kalimuendo.
The Swedish side: Ellborg, Larsen, Jansson, Duric, Rosler, The midfielder, The midfielder, The midfielder, The attacker, Gudjohnsen, Busanello.
Official: The German referee (Germany)
Starting Players
The Glasgow side: Butland, Tavernier, Fernandez, Djiga, Aarons, The midfielder, Diomande, Raskin, Gassama, The forward, Chermiti.
The Arsenalistas: Hornicek, Gomez, Lagerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Zalazar, Joao Moutinho, Gorby, The attacker, The forward, Horta.
Match official: The Dutch referee (Netherlands)
Match Background
The European clash and memories of 1979. The both teams have a unique relationship, also facing each other in Forest's previous European adventure in the mid-90s European competition, but it is the continental championship 46 years ago that links these clubs, with Britain's first £1m player Francis heading the only goal of a largely forgettable match to claim legendary status for the red half of Nottingham.
"Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, grey-sweatered and anonymous amid all the festivities and cheers, stood for a moment on a bench calmly observing the mafficking," commented the writer. This represented an outstanding achievement that it is unlikely to be replicated – from second tier to European stage in a short period."
One should note to pause a little on Malmö, who became the first, and to date the last Scandinavian side to advance to the ultimate game under British coach Houghton.
This match is a far cry from that summit, closer perhaps to the earlier European encounter between Forest and Malmö in 1995-96. Forest are riding high after thrashing Liverpool at the famous ground on Saturday, while Malmö haven't kicked a competitive ball since early November following the end of the Swedish league season. The popular prediction is on the Forest tonight.
Additional games on offer in this live coverage. Rangers have already been beaten by a Braga this season. Rangers are last place of the competition table at the middle of the group stage with exactly zero. They desperately need a victory if they are to have any hope of making a late surge for a playoff spot.
Coverage will persist with all nine of the 8pm kick-offs and provide the latest scores from the concluded fixtures, including Aston Villa v Young Boys and Feyenoord v Celtic.
