Rangers' extra-time renaissance falls short as Ryan Kent passes up glorious final opportunity

Statistically, there was little in the way of separation come the end of extra time. Oliver Glasner’s team shaded the xG (expected goals) at 2.02 to 1.48 and the possession share was near-even.

Having been second best for the majority of 90 minutes, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men enjoyed the better extra time period, peaking when Ryan Kent’s 0.59xG chance so nearly secured the cup.

Numbers of course only tell part of the story. Frankfurt demonstrated a superior composure on the ball to create better opportunities in normal time. As reflected in their shot map below, they totalled eight shots inside the penalty area to Rangers’ three.

Daichi Kamada’s lobbed effort soon before his side’s equaliser was the highest quality chance created aside from Rafael Borre’s goal at 0.34xG; with Frankfurt often unable to carve open their opponents and fashion clear shots, demonstrated by the six blocked shots and numerous efforts from distance.

The story was different for Rangers, who were unable to turn their share of possession into equal opportunities.

Joe Aribo’s opener was a rare exception and exploited a mistake in the opposing defence. The 0.35xG chance recorded a PSxG (Post-Shot xG) of 0.57 – it was a strike of real quality from the Nigerian.

Kent’s glorious opportunity in the final moments almost doubled his side’s chance creation numbers. He was so close to becoming a hero.

Why did the Ibrox side struggle to create up until extra time? Their passage from back to front was too predictable and relied heavily on Connor Goldson’s diagonals, while Frankfurt were happy to allow the centre-back pairing possession. Calvin Bassey and Goldson exchanged 27 passes, as they waited for space to open up or a run to break lines, the highest number of any pair on the pitch.

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Goldson completed just 13 of 27 long passes. With the opposition anticipating diagonals and other avenues up the pitch scares, his distribution lost its impact.

The one-dimensional method of attack favoured by van Bronckhorst’s side is shown further in their pass network. Notice the back four have the highest level of involvement (shown by the size of their circle) alongside John Lundstram and Joe Aribo. James Tavernier was tasked with getting high on the right and one of Ryan Jack or Lundstram responsible for covering the space he vacated, while there was no viability in moving the ball through midfield where Rangers were outnumbered. Glen Kamara, Ryan Kent and Scott Wright all had bright moments while lacking consistent involvement.

Frankfurt’s pass network further explains the build-up issues that their opponents experienced. Their system, a back five with wing-backs, had natural width that covered all areas and zones of the pitch. Van Bronckhorst lamented the lack of line-breaking passes from his team after the game and without this incision through the pitch, Frankfurt weren’t made to feel uncomfortable.

The pressure maps are also reflective of the winners’ control. While Frankfurt were hardly forced to defend the middle of their pitch as explained above, Rangers had to cover all areas defensively. 

Despite ending up without a winners medal, Bassey was the best performer on the night. The defender made nine ball recoveries, nine clearances, three interceptions, four tackles (a 100 percent return), six blocks and 10/12 successful aerial duels.

As the Rangers Review reasoned after the game, this fabled European run so nearly became a tale that would’ve never stopped being told.

Frankfurt held their nerve in the shoot-out after both sides had opportunities to run out victors during 120 minutes, seizing their moment to become champions.