Second in its group after a ludicrous defeat against Villarreal in the last match of the group stage, Stade Rennais finds itself forced to play in the Europa League play-offs.
And the draw was not kind to the Bretons who will have to face AC Milan, semi-finalist of the Champions League last year.
In a very tough group, made up of PSG, Newcastle and Dortmund, Stefano Pioli's men almost saw their European adventure end in the group stages of the Champions League.
But a stunning victory at Newcastle in the last match changed everything.
Facing them, the Rossoneri will welcome Rennais who have regained color since the return of Julien Stéphan at the end of November.
Since their setback against Villarreal in December, the Bretons are quite simply undefeated in all competitions with five straight victories in Ligue 1 and a qualification for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France at the expense of Sochaux.
But the Milanese are not to be outdone, they who have not lost in Serie A since December 9 and who have gone nine games without defeat in the league, which allows them to stay in contact with Juventus.
The Europa League play-off between AC Milan and Stade Rennais can be followed this Thursday, February 15 from 9 p.m. on RMC Sport 1.