Real Betis got the best of AC Milan at San Siro on Europa League matchday 3. The Spanish side is now looking to get a second win over its Italian rivals. Betis’ 2-1 win over Milan flattered the Rossoneri slightly.
Genarro Gattuso’s team was outplayed and didn’t find the back of the net until the 83rd minute.
Patrick Cutrone’s strike for Milan was the first Betis had given up in the Europa League. The green and white have posted a +4-goal difference with five goals scored. Betis lead Group F with seven points from nine, while Milan are on six.
Neither team is guaranteed progression to the Europa League round of 32 as third place Olympiacos are on four points and could move into second depending on Thursday night’s results.
Betis haven’t been shy in front of goal as Antonio Sanabria and Giovani Lo Celso have tallied four of their five goals. Meanwhile, Cutrone and Gonzalo Higuain have done the damage for Milan. The duo has accounted for all five Rossoneri goals. Cutrone has tallied three strikes and Higuain two.
Quique Setien’s team has played well in the Europa League, but results haven’t been quite as good in La Liga. Betis are winless in their last four domestic matches with three of those games ending in defeat. Betis drew 3-3 at the weekend with Celta Vigo in what has been labelled the most entertaining game of the La Liga season.
During Betis’ four game winless run, they have allowed goals galore conceding seven goals in four matches. Setien has found goals in La Liga hard to come by, which is the opposite of Betis in the Europa League. The green and white could struggle for La Liga survival as they continue to focus on Europe.
Milan are currently flying high in Serie A and Gattuso has them playing well on the peninsula. Milan are in fourth and have gone three games without a loss. Higuain leads the Rossoneri in goals with five. Unfortunately, Gattuso won’t be able to call upon the striker as he is suffering from a back injury.
Although the injury is not long-term, Higuain will sit as a precaution. Due to Cutrone’s form in the Europa League, it shouldn’t be an omission Milan feel too much.
Leading sportsbooks have little separating the two Europa League rivals. They should both find the back of the net on Thursday night in Spain and continue their good form in Group F. Betis and Milan are set for a draw in Sevilla. The group will go down to the wire as Olympiacos will keep pressure on the top two.