How Napoli exposed Rangers' defensive intensity to compound Champions League pain

Not only were they in need of a result to keep post-Christmas European hopes realistic, but defending for 90 minutes would be “waiting for the damage to be done” according to the manager.

The visitors played with a back four and relatively high line which, in two first-half moments, Lucciano Spalletti’s men ruthlessly exposed. Giovanni Simeone converted crosses from either full-back by attacking space behind the defensive line.

“On both occasions, we were two against one in the centre against the striker,” van Bronckhorst said. “Because of the smart movement, they could score two times. For us to give those type of goals in the Champions League is too easy.”

Conceding chances against one of Europe’s form teams is an inevitability. Equally, as the manager admits either goal against in the first half was “too easy” from a Rangers point of view.

Their defensive line squeezed up the pitch from the start, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 as shown below.

But when Napoli progressed the ball into the final third, their positioning and fluid rotations posed a problem. As depicted in the below pass network, left-back Mario Rui hugged the left touchline while right-winger Matteo Politano did the same on the opposite flank. Giacomo Raspadori inverted from left-wing and Giovanni Di Lorenzo right-back.

Consequentially, Scott Wright was tasked with dropping into form a back five at points and marking Rui. Given James Tavernier was being pinned by Raspadori, this was necessary to avoid a five-vs-four overload. Whereas on the left, this allowed Ridvan to get tight to Politano.

Rangers’ difficulties arose because of Napoli’s rotations, flexibility and timing of runs. The visitors seemed caught between going man-for-man and tracking runs or remaining totally compact to protect the space.

On the left in this example, you can see Kent has allowed Di Lorenzo to move wide. He positions his body to block the pass wide into the full-back, but Politano has moved inside and provides a passing option. Both Ridvan and James Sands move towards the winger but neither get close.

Politano receives and plays the ball wide to his captain who returns the favour before a dangerous cross is delivered.

Moments later it’s a midfield run that poses problems. This time Ridvan is pulled out of position by Politano’s wide positioning, opening the gap for Ndombele to run beyond. Again, another dangerous cross is delivered.

Rangers had been given a number of warnings and eventually, the opener would come from the rotations down their left-hand side.

READ MORE: Rangers’ previous European superpower has undermined Champions League tilt

After a throw-in, Napoli again have created a three-vs-four.

Given the high line and lack of pressure on the ball, Di Lorenzo can deliver a quality pass into Simeone which he finishes beyond Allan McGregor.

The right side was a similar story and caused the second concession. As mentioned Wright was tasked with supporting Tavernier by covering Rui’s runs from left-back. In the below frame, you can see John Lundstram ushering him back into position.

At times he fell back to form a back five.

But given the complexity of Napoli’s movement, the winger was also dragged infield at points, ensuring Tavernier could remain in the defence, but leaving Rui in acres of space. 

This duplicity occurred before the goal and perhaps summarises the disjointed nature of Rangers’ defensive showing during that first-half period. 

As play moves from right to left, Wright is infield. By the time the ball works to Rui he is not tight enough to stop the cross. Again Napoli score from a two-vs-one in the centre, benefiting hugely from the space behind.

This is not the first time Rangers’ hybrid defensive approach has looked vulnerable away from home. In Old Firm games, similar approaches have come unstuck along with Champions League matches.

Last night, they attempted to play aggressively by not falling back and inviting pressure, but for either goal a lack of pressure on the ball allowed Napoli to target the space vacated effectively.