RANGERS defied expectations again to reach the Europa League final in Seville and in keeping with the rest of their journey to the semi-final stage, a win was entirely merited.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst got his team selection and tactics spot on once again, limiting Leipzig to 1.01xG against his side’s 1.84xG.
The pass completion percentage does a good job of describing his team’s approach. Playing without a striker, the Dutchman was forced to be creative in getting his team forwards. As was the case against Celtic, van Bronckhorst’s tactics played over the press and proved effective.
RB Leipzig’s pressure map, featuring a real lack of intensity in the opposition half, demonstrates the success of this ploy.
Based on probabilities, Rangers would have only lost that game 13/100 times. The trendline is proof that the German visitors never truly built sustained pressure, while the chances created by the hosts were of high quality.
Two goals, John Lundstram’s winner and James Tavernier’s opener, were scored from close range.
Joe Aribo’s miss right in the middle of the six-yard box was a 0.71xG chance. The Nigerian simply had to score and would’ve had his side three goals to the good.
Glen Kamara’s strike from the edge of the box was of the highest quality. Peter Gulacsi was in an optimum position yet still failed to palm away the left-footed drive.
As was the case in Saxony, Domenico Tedesco’s side rarely created high-quality openings.
In fact, Konrad Laimer’s one-v-one against Allan McGregor was the best quality chance Leipzig fashioned all evening at 0.36xG.
Their goal was unstoppable, from Angelino’s cross to Christopher Nkunku’s run and finish.
So, how were Rangers able to afford such limited space in front of goal? A look at their starting 11 pass map shows the 3-4-3 van Bronckhorst started with; featuring a compact midfield two, aggressive wing-backs and high wingers.
Leipzig also favoured a three at the back but as in the first leg, their front trio were unable to impact the game as they would’ve hoped.
When looking at key performers, there are numerous names to pick out. Ryan Kent topped the xGChain, with Lundstram and Glen Kamara narrowly behind.
In terms of Rangers’ own work off the ball, Calvin Bassey, unsurprisingly, topped the charts with 25 pressures. Fashion Sakala, despite only playing half the game, was next in line with 21.
So many individuals stand out. Lundstram made 17 ball recoveries, 17 pressures, four interceptions and scored one all-important goal.
Bassey made 12 ball recoveries, 5 clearances, 4 interceptions and 25 pressures.
And the final compliment of the defence, Connor Goldson, made nine ball recoveries, eight interceptions and one vital tackle to take the ball off of Laimer’s toes in the box.
A strong, defensive structure and justifiably ambitious game plan helped Rangers record the most famous night at Ibrox in modern history. A place in Seville is entirely deserved.
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