LUCIANO Spalletti said Rangers had more danger in the penalty areas prior to James Sands’ red card last night as Napoli ran out 3-0 winners at Ibrox.
Statistically speaking, he was right. By the end of play, the visitors could account for a healthy xG tally of 3.21 propped up by two penalties. Until the dismissal, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team had fashioned the more threatening moments in front of goal as demonstrated by the game’s trendline.
The highest value opportunity created by Spalletti’s men before the interval was Piotr Zielenski’s left-footed drive which struck the post (0.09xG).
In contrast, Alfredo Morelos ought to have done better with an early header (0.26xG), James Tavernier’s opportunity in the box fell to his left foot rather than his right (0.16xG) and John Lundstram also connected at a cross (0.21xG).
From 54 minutes onwards only one team was winning the game, however.
Prior to two late goals, the hosts hadn’t conceded much in the way of dangerous chances after the interval and remained compact in their shape.
This shows in the shot map, which provides an xG total from open play and therefore does not either penalty. Until Napoli added a second and third Rangers had conceded 0.86xG from open play.
Throughout the evening, van Bronckhorst’s men were able to limit their opponents until the extra man made the difference. It’s fine margins at this level of football and despite Allan McGregor’s valiant efforts, there was no stopping the Italians.
Of the home side’s 11 attempts, nine came from the right side of the pitch. As is customary in their European outings Rangers looked to create on the left and convert on the right.
Their first chance was ultimately their best of the evening. Morelos’ header that went just past the post is perhaps an opportunity he’d convert when a little sharper after finding space in behind Min Jae Kim.
Tavernier’s left-footed shot, connecting after a Ryan Kent run and cross, was similar. If it fell to the captain’s stronger side you’d have expected the shot to hit the net and not the goalkeeper.
The conversation on shots cannot pass without McGregor’s name being mentioned. The veteran saved 1.39 Goals Above Average including penalties. His double penalty stop was a remarkable moment to witness.
Van Bronckhrost had opted to play what looked like a back five on the teamsheet with Lundstram moving back into the defence. Tavernier played high in possession and supplemented the midfield without the ball.
Lundstram’s positioning countered the left-sided overloads Spalletti’s men attempted to create in possession, highlighted below, while accommodating key attacking threats so often used in Europe. With the captain able to attack the box, Kent provided attacking freedom and either midfielder offered a license to spring forward and support Morelos.
It also enabled Rangers to defend with width, given the threats Napoli possessed on either flank. Matteo Politano was successful with 27 of 28 carries on the right side…
While Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was successful with 43 of 48…
This is where the hosts predominantly applied their 163 pressures, on either flank. While no goals originated from either winger driving inside the pair constantly unsettled the backline.
“If you compare this with the first game against Ajax, we played so much better with intensity and character that we didn't show last week,” van Bronckhorst said post-match, and he is correct. This was night and day compared to the trip to Amsterdam.
In the same breath, Rangers were taught another harsh lesson at this level of football. Despite their good performance and stronger spells in the game, Napoli eventually let their quality show.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here