James Tavernier's crucial Rangers role and shutting down space: Learning from RB Leipzig's vulnerabilities

They lacked cohesion, struggled to break down their opponent and looked soft defensively to concede three times and lose important ground in the race for Champions League football.

For the watching Rangers support giving Sky’s Monday night Bundesliga coverage a ratings supercharge, the performance only raised anticipation levels ahead of tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg. An emotionally and physically draining fixture 72 hours before the trip to Ibrox tips the scales ever slightly in Rangers’ financially unweighted favour.

As well as all this, Monchengladbach’s showing will offer Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his backroom team further evidence of fragilities that could be targeted in tonight’s meeting.

Having watched the 90 minutes, the Rangers Review has picked out key themes and lessons from Leipzig’s performance ahead of tonight’s encounter. 

Understanding the approach

Leipzig started the game playing a 3-4-3 diamond. Angelino (No.3) and Nordi Mukiele (No.22) provided the width, Andre Silva (No.33) played as a centre-forward with Dani Olmo (No.27) and Christopher Nkunku (No.18) to his right and left respectively. Konrad Laimer (No.27) was stationed just behind Silva and Kevin Kampl (No.44) was left as the sole defensive midfielder.

At different points, one of Mohamad Simakan (No.2) and Mukiele filled the right-sided central midfield role alongside Kampl.

You can see here early on, Laimer has moved alongside Nkunku and Olmo, leaving Kampl with plenty of room to cover at the base of midfield, so Simakan steps up with his man.

Moving Laimar a line-up was adventurous and the remaining defensive structure was forced to accommodate. Because Simakan has moved into midfield here, the wing-backs must form a back four, restricting their ability to jump out and mark their opposing position.

Therefore, Monchengladbach have a free man on the right in Jordan Beyer, as highlighted in red, because Leipzig have committed an extra midfielder higher up the pitch, creating a five against four.

While the hosts also played a back three, their approach was different. Right wing-back Stefan Lainer (No.18) played much higher than left wing-back Luca Netz (No.20). Florian Neuhaus (No.32) and Kouidao Kone (No.17) were selected as a midfield pairing and the front three of Jonas Hofmann (No.23) Lars Stindl (No.13) and Breel Embolo (No.36) remained close together as a narrow trio.

They committed one less man forward when playing against the ball. Notice their compact front three compared to Leipzig’s compact front four.

This allowed for a solid defensive structure. Either wing-back was free to jump up and pressurise their direct opponent if possession was moved to the side.

The position of Hofmann and Stindl blocked passes into either half-space and as possession moved left or right, the opposing attacking midfielder tucked infield to show play around the pitch.

Meanwhile, cutting off passing options to Kampl forced direct play.

Exploiting the space in midfield

The key difference between these set-ups, an extra midfielder, would be magnified as the game saw its first goal.

Nico Elvedi, who would later be dismissed, moves forward with the ball and because of Leipzig’s 3-4-3 diamond, has two clear passing lanes forward. The Leipzig wing-backs haven’t stepped up onto their opposite men; because their three centre-backs are all occupied, and this leaves space next to Kampl exploitable.

Elvedi finds Ramy Bensebaini who in turn slides through Lainer, with the hosts now three against three.

Although the initial attack is crowded out, Embolo eventually gets his shot off thanks to a misplaced backpass.

It was a goal that from start to finish, took advantage of Leipzig’s top-heavy approach.

READ MORE: How Rangers' possession gamble overcame Celtic's February pressing template

Minutes after the goal, Elvedi’s drive into midfield takes out the entire Leipzig attacking unit and after play has been progressed down the right, Monchengladbach attack that vacant right-sided central midfield role again.

The Leipzig response

Late in the first half, Tedesco did change shape to address the issues his side were experiencing at the bottom of midfield, moving to a 3-4-1-2.

Today’s opponents drew level as they demonstrated devastating ability in transition.

A pass over pressure into Silva gets them forward in this example and having initially spun short, Nkunku darts into the space he’d created before dinking the keeper.

However, minutes before the interval their top-heavy approach was exposed once again. A simple combination between Embolo and Hofmann restoring Monchengladbach’s lead.

READ MORE: Why Rangers' active defence was a Saxony success despite RB Leipzig defeat

72 percent of the hosts’ attacks were aimed through the middle, they targeted the heart of RB Leipzig and found success.

To seal the result, despite playing a man down at the time, another attack through the centre bore fruit. Hofmann again found space in the midfield and after returning the ball wide, sealed the win.

What does it mean for Rangers?

Since Tedesco was appointed Leipzig coach, the team have controlled matches. On Monday he said his team “weren’t at the races” and while true, the 36-year-old’s favouring of a top-heavy set-up left the rest of his team understaffed.

Tonight’s game is of course a separate occasion and it will require a mammoth effort for Rangers to progress. However, Monchengladbach’s win offers some vulnerabilities that van Bronckhorst may well look to exploit. Primarily, prioritising central attacks and winning the battle at wing-back, to provide the team with a platform to play.