Stefano Pioli is expected to name another strong team when AC Milan face Stade Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday night as even more emphasis will now be put on the tournament.
According to Corriere dello Sport (via Milan News), the Rossoneri are planning to go full steam ahead in the Europa League now after Inter managed to pull even further ahead at the top of the Serie A table.
Milan had a very, very outside chance of catching the Nerazzurri but they really could not afford any slips. Losing 4-2 against Monza last weekend means that Inter are now 11 points clear with a game in hand, a gap that will not be closed.
Milan have a seven-point gap over Bologna in fifth, though, so they should be able to maintain their place in the top four. That means real effort can be put into the Europa League, in every round.
Pioli essentially named a full-strength squad against Rennes at San Siro and won the game 3-0, but he is expected to go strong again for the second leg and really lay down a marker to teams like Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen who are also in the competition.
Winning the Europa League may be enough to earn Pioli another season, but simply finishing third and not winning a trophy probably won’t.
