Ruben Loftus-Cheek: AC Milan star determined to continue form after two goals against Rennes

Former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek says his hard work on the training pitch is paying dividends after he scored twice in AC Milan's 3-0 win over Rennes in the UEFA Europa League.

Loftus-Cheek, who has played 10 times for England but hasn't featured since 2018, scored a goal in each half to help Stefano Pioli's side to a comfortable victory in the first leg of their round play-off tie.

Rafael Leao wrapped up the scoring with Milan's third ahead of the second leg in France next Thursday.

Loftus-Cheek, 28, now has five goals in his last five games for Milan.

"It's an incredible feeling," he told TNT Sports.

"This is what I've been working on a lot with the coaching staff, reading the game and being in the positions to score. When I'm in those positions it's just about me finishing it off and I've done that well so far in 2024.

"I just have to carry on like this. I'm enjoying my football."

Milan are third in Serie A, eight points adrift of leaders Inter but are on course to make it to the last 16 in the Europa League.

"The European nights are up there with the best and it was fantastic to come away with the win and a big advantage going into next week," Loftus-Cheek continued.

"We've still got a lot to improve on. It wasn't the perfect game but we won and that's the most important thing."

Loftus-Cheek knows what it takes to win the Europa League having lifted the cup with Chelsea in 2018/19 when The Blues overcame Arsenal 4-1 in the final.

Milan are one of the contenders to go all the way to Dublin, but a number of good teams remain in the competition and Loftus-Cheek isn't looking any further than the second leg.

"I think we're a good team and we have the quality to go all the way," he said.

"There are some good teams in this competition, so I think the best way to go about it is to take it game by game.

"We've still got a tough match next week. Away is always difficult no matter the score or the advantage, so we have to focus on that. We'll take it game by game and see how far we go."

Meanwhile, Owen Hargreaves believes Milan are getting the very best from the midfielder.

"It's a good fit," he said.

"I can't believe Ruben Loftus-Cheek is 28 already. I know he was always a star as a young man, but he probably should have made this move a little bit sooner.

"He's such a talented guy. He's got goals in him and it just shows that he's in a really good place in a team that plays to his strengths."

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