Forest vs Malmö, Braga vs Rangers, and Additional – UEFA Europa League News
Live Updates
Major Moments
- Full-time: Villa 2-1 Young Boys
- GOAL!: Late goal from Monteiro makes it 2-1
- Full-time: Feyenoord defeated 1-3 by Celtic
- Lineups announced: Starting players for Forest vs Malmö
- Team news: Rangers and Braga lineups
- Preamble
Current Table
These early results have significant impact on the league rankings. Celtic have moved up to the 17th spot and returned to the protected knockout positions.
| Pos | Side | P | 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
Aston Villa secured for the three points and moved level on points with table-toppers Midtjylland at the top of the group rankings. The English side made hard work of that during the closing minutes.
90+1: Monteiro Pulls One Back
Young Boys earned a lifeline through Monteiro but were left with four more minutes to find an equaliser!
Full-time: Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic
A significant and important win for the Scottish team. Even after falling 1-0 down, Celtic fought back with goals from the Korean forward, Reo Hatate and the Swedish striker.
Game Developments
Aston Villa, meanwhile, retained a 2-0 lead over Young Boys with approximately five minutes left at their home ground.
The Dutch forward's brace there triggered intense reactions in the away end, with visiting fans confronting police. Scuffles broke out and items launched at both the police and onto the pitch, with Malen himself being hit on the head by a drinking vessel.
Lineups: Forest vs Malmö
The Reds: The goalkeeper, The defender, The center-back, Murillo, Morato, Yates, Sangare, Dominguez, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo.
Malmö FF: The goalkeeper, Larsen, Jansson, The defender, The full-back, Haksabanovic, The midfielder, Skogmar, Bolin, Gudjohnsen, Busanello.
Match official: The German referee (German)
Starting Players
The Light Blues: Butland, The defender, Fernandez, Djiga, Aarons, Barron, Diomande, Raskin, The attacker, Danilo, Chermiti.
The Arsenalistas: The goalkeeper, The defender, Lagerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Zalazar, Joao Moutinho, Gorby, Martinez, Navarro, The striker.
Match official: The Dutch referee (from Netherlands)
Historical Context
Nottingham Forest v Malmö and historical connections. The two clubs have a unique relationship, also facing each other in Forest's last European campaign in the 1995-96 Uefa Cup, but it is the premier competition final decades past that links these clubs, with the groundbreaking transfer Francis scoring the winner of a largely forgettable match to secure historic victory for the Forest supporters.
"Forest's famous bosses, modestly dressed amid all the colour and celebration, stood for a moment on a bench calmly observing the revelry," noted the journalist. Theirs has been an remarkable feat that it is hard to see being repeated – from the lower league to continental competition in three seasons."
It's also interesting to consider Malmö, who became the initial and final Nordic team to make the championship match under English manager Bob Houghton.
This match is a far cry from that pinnacle, closer perhaps to the Uefa Cup first-round tie between Forest and Malmö in 1995-96. Forest are absolutely buzzing after thrashing Liverpool at Liverpool's home on Saturday, while Malmö have been inactive since early November following the conclusion of their domestic campaign. The smart money is on the English side tonight.
Plenty of other action on offer in this clockwatch. The Scottish side have already been lost to a Braga this season. Rangers are at the foot of the 36-team Europa League standings at the middle of the initial phase with no points whatsoever. They desperately need a victory if they are to have any opportunity for a comeback for a playoff spot.
Updates will continue with all the evening matches and provide the current standings from the previous games, including Villa vs Young Boys and the Dutch-Scottish clash.
