How Rangers bewildered Braga: Rotating right-back, attacking 'so much space' and runs from deep

As demonstrated by the below xG (expected goals) trendline, the hosts created chances sufficient to double their goal tally. On the basis of probability, StatsBomb predicts they win this game 100 times out of 100.

As in previous rounds, van Bronckhorst admitted to having a “better feeling” about the opposition after the first leg having faced them in the flesh. Aided by Braga’s intent to win the game rather than protect a lead, he devised a plan to expose their fragilities.

This healthy reactivity to the opposition and a willingness to channel attacks into vulnerable areas, as well as possessing an air of tactical unpredictability and flexibility, has proved hugely influential in each knock-out stage. If this side is to realise the seemingly impossible European dream, tactical tinkering will have played a predominant role.

The best person to break down the scheme was the deviser himself, so the Rangers Review asked van Bronckhorst to elaborate on his game plan post-match.

“You see they take a lot of risks when they put an extra man in midfield when they pressure but that leaves so much space at their back and I think we did excellently to do so,” he said.

“It was one of the aspects we worked hard on in the last couple of days. It’s always good to see it work well in the game as well.

“We wanted to attack the sides more frequently and make them defend more on the sides and also the possibilities to run deep from midfield.”

As mentioned, Braga adopted an aggressive approach to try and win the game on the night and put the tie beyond doubt. Their defensive line was high when the hosts had periods of possession and a willingness to commit an extra man centrally left “so much space at the back” in the eyes of van Bronckhorst.

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The plan returned rewards early on. You can see below James Tavernier has pushed high as Ryan Jack drops in at right-back, allowing Aaron Ramsey to drift centrally alongside Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe. Ryan Kent has held the width on the left wing and will be joined by Borna Barisic.

You can see later in the game Tavernier ushering Jack to cover his slot at right-back from his central midfield berth as the captain ventures up the pitch. This frame does a good job of summating the gameplan, with Roofe not left isolated centrally, full-backs providing width and John Lundstram acting as the single pivot in possession.

These themes are also evident in the starting 11 pass map, notice Jack’s position directly behind Tavernier.

There was of course an element of risk to this system. Braga remained well-stocked in the middle and if they’d won possession in that area, Lundstram could have been left exposed. However, Rangers weren’t looking to progress the ball through this zone so could afford to be outnumbered. They instead wanted to go over the top and around the sides.

Early on, Kent is picked out by a lofted ball into space and has plenty of runners to hit. He returns the posession into the feet of Lundstram who in turn props up a Barisic cross.

The Croatian has arrived in the final third which affords him space to cross while on the other flank where Tavernier will score from, Rangers have outnumbered the Braga defence. The catalyst for the opener was a wide attack which targeted space in behind. 

Two minutes later another run over the top provided a goal. Notice as Calvin Bassey strides forward Braga’s shape is protecting the centre of the pitch but leaving space around and behind. The hosts have both full-backs providing width and plenty of central options. 

Barisic can run beyond Fabinho because the movement of Kent has pulled the visiting right-back infield. This well-timed rotation enables the Croatian to attack the space and deliver a perfect ball onto the head of Roofe, although the goal was overturned by VAR for a handball in the build-up.

Even though this goal didn’t count, it’s a further example of the Ibrox side overwhelming their opponent’s defence by attacking areas in which Braga were outnumbered and hitting space behind the high defensive line. 

Having attacked the sides to open the scoring, it was van Bronckhorst's other key point, a run from deep, that led to the first-half penalty award. 

As Bassey steps out of defence again, Braga have pushed up the pitch and while their midfield has prepared to engage pressure, the hosts are ready to attack in behind.

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Bassey’s diagonal is superb and picks out Roofe’s movement. The Englishman is unmarked given Ramsey’s decoy run from deep, facilitated by van Bronckhorst’s decision to push Jack into right-back and get Tavernier high, allowing the Welshman to move into central pockets.

Ramsey takes the attention of David Corsa which leads to a penalty and Vitor Tormena red card.

Looking at the passes Rangers made from their own half, excluding the penalty box to discount goalkeeper distribution, demonstrates a clear pattern. They weren’t trying to play into the feet of strikers or work quick central combinations.

The plan was to hit Braga on the sides and attack space behind Braga's high line and once again, van Bronckhorst's plan came to fruition.