How Rangers outplayed PSV with boxed midfield progression and coordinated pressure

Having played with bravery and defended high to establish a lead, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side conceded little in the way of chances after Antonio Colak’s goal on the hour mark. They shaded the xG 1.52 to 1.22 and won key battles in both boxes.

This was a mature European performance by a mature European side, and another example of van Bronckhorst outmanoeuvring an opposition manager in Europe. But how did he do it?

Without the ball, Rangers struck the perfect balance between pressure and control. They used a hybrid marking system, going man-for-man at points while not being dragged out of place by clever rotations.

Here’s a good example that illustrates the visitors’ high starting position. They trap PSV in by the sidelines to divert play backwards and attempt a high regain.

As PSV shift possession to the left, notice Borna Barisic and James Tavernier have both been pulled forward by man-marking duties, marshalling Cody Gakpo and Ismael Saibiri.

Tom Lawrence makes a recovery run to track the overlapping full-back Philipp Max while Tavernier closes down Gakpo, protecting the highlighted space.

It’s a small detail, but this shifting organisation allowed Rangers to sit high and prevent PSV territorial control, and ensured attackers were high enough up the pitch to press aggressively.

Following Gakpo’s backwards pass, the away side are man-for-man on the right and able to force the hosts to the touchline, meaning they can only go backwards.

Rangers now have sufficient numbers to press aggressively. Ryan Kent’s positioning stops Walter Benitez from switching to the right while Colak’s calculated run blocks a pass to the left. The keeper's only option is a pass to Andre Ramahlo who has his back to the onrushing Tillman.

While PSV escape on this occasion, the moment foreshadows Tillman’s winning intervention later in the game.

What about in possession? Van Bronckhorst’s men were similarly coordinated when they got on the ball. A look at their pass network from the game shows Tavernier and Kent stretching the pitch, Barisic forming a back three in possession with Lawrence and Tillman either side of Colak.

By being brave and playing through the press, the visiting side were able to access one of four passing options in the midfield and create a four-vs-three overload against the PSV contingent. This is where the game was won and lost.

Here’s an example. PSV look to press as their opponents play out from the back, forcing play to the sideline, just like Rangers did above.

But their pressure is evaded by Glen Kamara who swivels quicker than Erick Gutierrez can react to play through the press and open up the pitch.

Sangare is forced to move forwards onto John Lundstram but Tillman is the fourth central option for Rangers, free to receive and turn.

Minutes later, the Ibrox side again create a four-vs-three central overload to progress the ball forwards.

Thanks to Lawrence drifting inside and James Sands playing through the first line of pressure, Tillman can receive freely.

“It was visible on both sides that midfielders were found,” Ruud van Nistelrooy said after the game, explaining the ease with which Rangers moved the ball through the midfield.

“Gakpo and Saibari were in between lines for us. Rangers did very well as well and then it is a matter of coordinating the pressure and if that’s not done simultaneously and forwards go early or distances are too big, the opponent can find free players.”

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As shown above, Rangers combatted the threat of Gakpo and Saibari well, while PSV couldn’t strike the balance between aggression and control out of possession.

Their lack of ‘simultaneous’ actions when pressing allowed Rangers to bypass the first line and find players in space higher up the pitch regularly. The home side didn't get the distances right to trap in the visitors or block passing lanes into midfield.

The same move progresses with the four-man midfield box visible as Tillman and Lawrence sit in front of the home defence. Sands again plays beyond the uncoordinated first line, allowing Lundstram and Kamara to combine before sending the ball wide.

Tavernier finds Colak and Lawrence is free to act as a rebound. He can receive, turn sharply and switch the play for Kent who crosses into the box.

A final example comes in the lead up to Lawrence’s shot that hit the crossbar. Again, Rangers move the ball around the back, create a four-vs-three in the middle before playing through the pitch.

After neat side-to-side play, the ex-Derby captain cracks the crossbar.

Tillman was constantly found deep on the left as shown by his successful pass reception map…

Meanwhile, Lawrence offered a high outlet on the right…

For all the promise shown in possession, it was off-ball organisation that won the game. Rangers’ structure was far more difficult to penetrate and forced the home side backwards with all passing avenues blocked before the winning goal.

As Armando Obispo finds his goalkeeper, Colak again curvs his run to block off the return pass, leaving Benitez with only Ramalho as a viable short passing option.

Ramalho’s body position is closed, perhaps preventing him from spotting Tillman who is high enough up the pitch to engage because Rangers have struck this aggression and control balance. He latches onto a loose touch and sets-up his Croatian teammate.

“We pressed them very well,” Van Bronckhorst told the Rangers Review post-match.

“At times we sensed we could win the ball high up the pitch and the goal came from the perfect opportunity for us.”

To reach the Champions League, Rangers needed to get the small details right. In possession, they outmanoeuvred PSV to constantly play forward and exert control. Out of it, they were better organised and more coordinated, which lead to the winning goal.

It was a performance that merited participation in football’s elite club competition.