match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 3 - 2 Braga (Hagi 67, 82; Aribo 75)

[Frankie 8,665]

It’s fair to say 2020 hasn’t really been kind to Rangers so far.  A combination of suspensions, injuries, poor form, bad refereeing and awful weather means performances and results haven’t been of the standard required since we return from the winter break.

 

With that in mind, turning our attentions back to European football over the next week might be a welcome distraction for everyone connected to the club. 

 

Firstly, as has been the case for the bulk of our Europa League campaign, we’re not really expected to progress against Braga.  That lower expectation decreases pressure on the players and may allow them to play with a bit more freedom than they have of late.  Similarly, unlike most of the Scottish teams we’ve faced this year, Braga are much more likely to be positive themselves, meaning we get more room to play and actually get some of our attacking players into the game. 

 

There’s no coincidence that we’ve often looked more comfortable against European opposition.  Games have tended to be more open and we usually do well on the counter.  Conversely we also appear happier in a defensive sense with deeper midfield cover for our full-backs, meaning we’re not usually exposed to the counter ourselves like we can be when having to commit so many players forward in domestic matches.

 

Unfortunately, injuries and suspensions means the manager may again be unable to choose his strongest team; certainly in the first leg.  Ryan Jack was sent off against Young Boys so misses this match whilst Borna Barisic picked up a knock at Hamilton ten days ago and hasn’t featured since.  In terms of replacements, as much as Joe Aribo has proved his worth in Europe, he doesn’t offer the same presence or leadership as Jack so the latter will be a huge miss tomorrow night.  Similarly, whilst Andy Halliday rarely shirks any role he’s offered in the team, neither does he offer the same quality of Barisic at left back.  Jon Flanagan isn’t in the squad so won’t be an option at wing back. 

 

Despite these missing players, the starting XI should still have a fairly recognisable look to it.  Defensively we now have plenty experience with McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson and Katic having all played in earlier rounds.  The same can be said for our likely midfield three of Arfield, Davis and Kamara who are all capable of not only winning the ball back effectively but are positionally sound and able to keep the ball when we have it too.

 

Further forward we also have several options.  Jermain Defoe will miss both these games and Jordan Jones is another who didn’t make the squad for this round.  However, Ianis Hagi has impressed since joining from Genk on loan and Flo Kamberi also showed against Livi that he could be a useful alternative should he be required. 

 

Most importantly for Rangers though will be getting Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent back in form.  The Colombian has been unlucky with some poor officiating ruling out two perfectly good goals in his last two games but hasn’t looked quite as sharp as he did in 2019.  The same can be said for Kent who looks well short of confidence and hasn’t done anywhere near as much in a creative sense of late.  However it would be a surprise if both didn’t start leaving one more attacking midfield role for either Hagi, Kamberi, Aribo, Greg Stewart, Sheyi Ojo or even the lessor spotted Brandon Barker whom the manager has turned to before in European games this season.

 

Whatever the team chosen, it’s not an easy task at all against Braga.  When the draw was made last year, we were certainly more confident than we are now.  The Portuguese outfit have since shown better form than us this year though and, although well behind Benfica and Porto in the Primeira Liga, have won matches against both over the last month.  With players such as Francisco Trincão (who will be moving to Barcelona in the summer for €35million) they have undoubted quality.

 

Nevertheless, what some of our fans and, perhaps the players as well, have forgotten recently is we do too.  As such, this represents a great opportunity for us to restore some of that belief and increase morale with what is effectively a free hit at progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League.

 

With a few months still to go in that tournament, as well as the Scottish Cup and Ladbrokes Premiership, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers can still make a challenge in all three of these competitions and the Englishman should be keener than ever to make that clear to the players.  As winter hopefully blows itself out here in Scotland soon, fingers crossed we can see some shoots of recovery in our season by the time we enjoy the warmth of Portugal next Wednesday.

 

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

 

 

[Frankie 8,665]

 

[DMAA 3,658]

Jack will be a huge miss as you say and Barisic will be too if he doesn't make it. It will be interesting to see if Hagi starts. It would be a move away from the style we have played at home in Europe under Gerrard which places a big emphasis on attacking midfielders who are good at pressing high and winning the ball back like Kent, Candeias, Aribo and Arfield. On the flipside, Hagi brings quality that none of the above possess.

[Rousseau 10,825]

It depends how Braga approach it. 

 

Their games against Porto, Sporting and Benfica were tight, 1-0 wins, so they can defend. 

 

They play 5-2-2-1, which suggests counter-attacking, but they seem to have matched the above teams for possession, 50/50. (Or, the Portuguese game is based on the transitions?) If they are going to sit back, we'll need Hagi's creativity. 

 

If they want to play, then a more counter-attacking player like Aribo, Arfield will be needed. 

 

If they are good on transitions, we might be better letting them have the ball and counter.

 

I think I'd leave out Hagi; go with the aggressive, pressing players that can counter. We can always bring Hagi on late on if we need some creativity, when the space will appear. 

 

I just noticed they get a lot of fouls and free-kicks -- this could be an exasperating match!

[compo 7,231]

If we can produce a five star performance it could be the tonic we badly need .

[Walterbear 557]

No goals conceded at home would be my priority. Confident we can score over there and make it a real one off cup tie. 

[DMAA 3,658]

Braga's form is incredible. Since the 18th of Decemeber they have won 9 and drawn 1. The wins included away league wins over Benfica and Porto, a semi-final win over Sporting Lisbon and a cup final win over Porto. The 1 draw was in a game they got a player sent off in after going 2-0 up in the first half. This is a team who have a winning mentality and don't concede many. On the other hand with 4 red cards in 6 games they are almost as bad as us for dicipline!

[Frankie 8,665]

 

[der Berliner 3,820]

Will be quite different from what we see in the league and I would assume that - of late - Braga only once saw us in full swing, during the OF game on the 29th. After that we will be hard to judge, opposition, tactic and players used. You would hope it won't be another con-affair that we at times suffered against Porto.

 

You would hope we actually play a frontline of Kamberi - Morelos - Kent, i.e. three real attackers. Davis and Arfield in DM/CM and Hagi as the creative mind.

 

BTW ... if he keeps his current form, I really hope we have a cool deal set up for him when the loan runs out. He seems to enjoy his role and is sure quite talented. Well, there always is the chance that some Scottish talent will hammer him before the end of the season, of course.

[Bluedell 5,679]

40 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

You would hope we actually play a frontline of Kamberi - Morelos - Kent, i.e. three real attackers. Davis and Arfield in DM/CM and Hagi as the creative mind.

There's no way Gerrard is going to change the European formation that's brought us so much success this season. He's going to continue with the 3 in midfield, presumably with Kamara, which will allow the full backs greater freedom.

 

10 places are stick-on, in my opinion, (assuming Barasic is fit) with the only question being over Hagi's inclusion.

 

40 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

BTW ... if he keeps his current form, I really hope we have a cool deal set up for him when the loan runs out. He seems to enjoy his role and is sure quite talented. Well, there always is the chance that some Scottish talent will hammer him before the end of the season, of course.

Are you referring to Hagi? I believe the deal is €5 million.