match thread (image) [FT] Maribor 0 - 0 Rangers

[Frankie 8,562]

I'm going to put together a preview shortly for the game... :)

[JFK-1 1,693]

This is the most important game the club have played in for many years. I'm confident but nervous at the same time. Can only imagine how the players feel. Or at least the ones who totally get it.

[Frankie 8,562]

The games continue to come thick and fast for Steven Gerrard and his Rangers players with their eighth competitive game in little over a month.  However, given they remain unbeaten, who's counting?!

 

The positives of this busy schedule are pretty obvious: firstly with only a few friendly matches played, the earlier Europa League qualifying rounds were effectively our pre-season.  Next these games not only allowed our vastly changed squad to get fit but to get to know each other and the management team's expectations.  Finally, given our unbeaten record - despite two red cards in our first two league matches - it has seen confidence and morale build amongst the players and the supporters.  Already the team and football looks a lot better than in recent years and that's vital if we're to challenge Celtic once more.

 

Unfortunately, there are also concerns.  Because of the bad officiating and our own questionable discipline, we've only had 11 men on the pitch for 40mins of our first two league games.  Add in the fact this is our third two-legged European game, then already it's obvious there's a demand on player fitness.  As it stands the players have coped well with this but it won't be long before injuries and knocks start to niggle so Gerrard has understandably looked to rotate his squad.  With players also unavailable tonight due to suspension (Flanagan has picked up three bookings) and rules (Barasic can't feature until the group stages) that means care has to be taken in team selection.

 

Indeed, the question of who plays tonight at left back is arguably one of the most important decisions Gerrard has yet to make.  As expected, does he bring in Andy Halliday who struggled last season (but has done fine so far this term in short cameo roles) or does he shuffle his pack and opt for three at the back with one of Murphy, Kent or Middleton playing deeper than usual?  Given Maribor haven't been short of goals this season - especially at home - then this will be a key tactical choice this evening.  Moreso when we consider the Slovenians will be keen to score early to bring themselves back into the tie.

 

Interestingly, the manager suggested in his pre-match presser that, despite this, he won't be looking to sit deep and protect our lead.  Instead he wants us to stay on the front foot and look to gain territory ourselves; perhaps enough to continue to create the kind of chances we seen in the first leg and score the away goal which would surely put the tie beyond the reach of Maribor.

 

Of course that's easier said than done in practice.  However, Gerrard and the Rangers fans will have been encouraged with the way they've played away in Osijek and Shkupi already in the competition.  In these games, whilst we didn't sit deep per se, we didn't commit men forward either; instead looking to maintain possession, control the game and keep things tight at the back.  An early Rangers goal in Croatia helped and the same in Slovenia would do wonders again tonight.

 

In terms of the team, it's not just left back that raises questions though other than that position the defence of McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson and Katic is pretty much a certainty though McCrorie may help form a back three should that system be considered.  In front of a more probable four though, Ryan Jack is expected to return from injury to continue his fine summer form.  Despite picking up a knock on Sunday, Lassana Coulibaly should partner him centrally with Scott Arfield perhaps favoured in a slightly more offensive position.  Ross McCrorie may again be the odd man out here but will definitely play at some point.

 

Moving into the wider areas, Gerrard is spoilt for choice with Kent, Murphy, Candeias, Middleton and Ejaria all capable of featuring right across the attacking lines.  In truth, any two of the five could be used effectively but I'd expect the experience of Murphy and Candeias to start the game.  The left-sided player will have added responsibility in protecting our deputy left-back so that will be most interesting. 

 

Meanwhile, the lone striker role will again be taken up by Alfredo Morelos.  It's no surprise French side Bordeaux are the latest to signal an interest in signing the Columbian given his excellent contribution so far this season but suffice to say he won't be going anywhere for the figures reported in today's media.  Umar Sadiq has yet to really feature but the on-loan Roma man may gain more minutes later in tonight's match.

 

That leaves us with the XI in the graphic below in what has been our favoured 4-2-3-1 formation this season.  However, this side is far from guaranteed and that personnel and tactical fluidity is another positive in a summer that has Rangers fans smiling so far.  Another performance of quality, grit and belief will be required to keep that grin on our faces tonight.  This tie is far from done and there's also a long way to go domestically.  Nevertheless the future is bright and I can't wait to see this Rangers squad and manager leap the latest hurdle in front of them.

 

Possible team (4-2-3-1):

 

 

 

[compo 7,043]

This is the best team we have played so far and despite a two goal advantage we are in for a torrid ninety minutes , the players will have to stand resolute in defence and be ready to hit on the break  we deserve some luck let's hope we March on .

[buster. 5,195]

We did very well in the first leg to get that late third goal but as others alude to, there is potentially, still a lot of life in this tie.

 

I see this as a significant step, if we can take it, on the way to growing as a team.

This is about mananging and closing out a tie against a team who have in recent years, proven to be experts at just that (at this level). 

 

Defence has been our strongest suit (especially when Ryan Jack plays in front of it) but tonight the familiar four names will be 3 plus one other. Can't say I'm too happy at the prospect of Halliday playing at LB in an important game. I'm sure Maribor will look to target that flank. The other thing this will mean is a predictability about our attacking threat coming mostly down the right.

 

The positive for me is the central midfield trio and this is where we have to retain posession well and be able to move the ball up the field, under control, taking pressure off our defence and giving ourselves a better chance of creating chances.

 

SG may have made noises about attacking but the main emphasis will very much be about defending in a solid and organised way.

 

-----------------------

 

First leg for show.......................Second leg for dough

 

Let's get this done..........

 

 

Edited August 16, 2018 by buster.

[alexscottislegend 2,325]

Wasn't concerned a week ago but I am now. Their 5-0 win at the weekend will buoy them up.

[alexscottislegend 2,325]

Could Lee Wallace not have been drafted in? He would reassure me more than Halliday. Remember SG saying he had no issue with him.

[buster. 5,195]

1 minute ago, alexscottislegend said:

Wasn't concerned a week ago but I am now. Their 5-0 win at the weekend will buoy them up.

They also scored 5 a few days before we beat then 3-1.

 

Means little. 

[DMAA 3,658]

38 minutes ago, buster. said:

They also scored 5 a few days before we beat then 3-1.

 

Means little. 

I wouldn't say it means little. They've scored 5 in 3/5 of their league games so far, and that against decent teams who have been competitive in their other league games. One of them beat the champions Olimpija 2-0, and the Olimpija themselves have only won 1/5 so far.

 

Maribor have made a flying start to the season and are in the habit of scoring lots of goals so there's every reason to believe that keeping a clean sheet is a big ask.

 

And don't think they won't have clocked that we're going to be playing a centre midfielder at LB. They'll be targeting him big time. Part of me would be more comfortable with McCrorie tbh, especially aerially after seeing how AEK scored their second goal a couple of days ago.

 

However, we blew them away last week and we've every reason to trust the management to know how to win the tie.

[Frankie 8,562]

46 minutes ago, alexscottislegend said:

Could Lee Wallace not have been drafted in? He would reassure me more than Halliday. Remember SG saying he had no issue with him.

Although he's back in full training, he's not played for the better part of a year so it would be a huge risk to have added him to our squad.