What can Rangers expect from Brondby? - An 'overhauled' squad who carry a 'big threat' up front

Fixtures against Lyon and Sparta Prague have yielded no points and little in the way of encouragement for Rangers, who remain bottom of Group A.

Under Steven Gerrard's tenure expectations in European fixtures have notably increased as the side have continually performed above expectation.

Brondby’s visit will justifiably be viewed as winnable by staff and supporters alike given the level of opponents who have left Govan defeated in recent years.

Saturday’s draw against Hearts was not void of encouragement – despite the concession of a late equaliser.

In the first half, an aggressive approach led to the best 45-minute spell of the season to this point. 

Despite dropping in intensity after the break, there remained high-value chances created but no one was able to convert.

Thursday's opponents have also struggled to find their level after a title-winning season.

Kasper Pedersbæk is a journalist covering Brondby for 3point.dk. He believes the Danish side's subpar start gives the hosts an edge tomorrow.

"Rangers and Brondby last season were quite similar," said Pedersbæk. "And I guess Brøndby would've been able to compete with Rangers being more even.

"Now I see clear leverage in favour of Rangers. They've kept more players than Brondby.

On Bronby’s start to the season

"The squad went through an overhaul this summer after more than half a dozen players had contracts that expired.

"Anthony Jung [now with Werder Bremen] was phenomenal in the build-up with constructive passes - allowing his team to build with fewer players behind the ball.

"Brondby also lost their starting goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, veteran defender Hjortur Hermannsson, Lasse Vigen and of course sold starlet youngster Jesper "Jobbe" Lindstrøm to Frankfurt in Germany.

READ MORE: John Lundstram and the Rangers role change that has him thriving at Ibrox

"That has resulted in a shaky 2021-22 campaign so far."

The side has conceded 17 goals in 12 matches and sits sixth in the table.

"Problems have been in the defence in limiting the opponent's chances, and in particular creating chances," Pedersbæk adds. 

"Losing Jesper Lindstrøm has impacted the team's ability to create chances against a low defensive line. Lindstrøm was the main creator of chances last term.

"So the campaign so far has been bumpy and without that continuity that last season had."

How will they approach the game tactically?

"In Europe, we've seen a more low defending style, especially against RB Salzburg in the CL qualifying games," Pedersbæk says of the side's tactical approach.

"Most likely it'll be some sort of 3-5-2 - you'll see a Brøndby team trying to create chances on fast breaks with the pace of Uhre and Hedlund upfront."

Gerrard called the side "honest" with "a big threat up front".

"They carry a big threat up front - they have a little and large combination [with] really good movement," the Rangers manager said at his press conference today.

"We need to control the front two players to have a chance."

Gerrard will need either centre-back to win their one-v-ones up against a two-man strikeforce - as well as negate the threat posed by wing-backs.

Malmo and Lyon both gained joy by retaining width and switching play in games against Rangers by deploying this tactic.

The game could suit both Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe starting together if the visitors do indeed sit back. It may prove more profitable to neglect pace in the front line in favour of player's that are intelligent in tight spaces.

The key threats

"The loss of Lindstrøm to Frankfurt has been hard to solve. He was the main creator last season and also chipped in with both assists and goals," says Pedersbæk. 

"Without a doubt [the biggest threat] it is Mikael Uhre upfront - strong, fast and clinical.

"Last season's top scorer in Denmark, he is also capable of providing assists for his teammates.

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"Also keep an eye open for Simon Hedlund, the Swedish rocket. Extremely speedy, a top provider of assists - not that many goals, but likes to take some long-range screamers once in a while.

"Anis Slimane is a young Tunisian midfielder, technically gifted and strong, he makes nice dribbles and is good at keeping the flow going. But also at times makes risky decisions with the ball."