Celtic returned back to action with a win at the weekend, although the same couldn’t be said for all of our fellow Europa League opponents.
Group E’s other sides – Lazio, Rennes and Cluj – were also in action but they got mixed results as they warmed up for this Thursday’s matches. Let’s take a look at their varying fortunes.
Rennes
Celtic’s next opponents were held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Brest. The home side had former Celtic target Romain Perraud in their side as they earned a point against high-flying Rennes who are now two without a win.
Julien Stephan’s side are still second in the league but are now two points off top placed PSG. Their star striker Mbaye Niang missed the match and is also a doubt for Thursday’s encounter.
Stephan revealed: “Mbaye got a blow to his knee on training this week and that was enough to keep him out of the game.” (Daily Record)
Lazio
The Serie A giants suffered a disappointing defeat to lowly Spal. The 2-1 success was Spal’s first of the season while it was also Lazio’s only defeat so far.
Ciro Immobile had them ahead from the penalty spot but two second-half goals from the hosts, including a 92nd minute winner, saw them move down to ninth in the table.
Cluj
Dan Petrescu’s side ended a run of two defeats in a row with an emphatic 5-0 victory over bottom of the table Voluntari. The visitors lost a goal after just two minutes and then had two men sent off before the half hour mark.
Cluj soon made that advantage tell and notched four more goals – with Bilel Omrani coming off the bench to score his first goal since Celtic Park.
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