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Opponent Watch: Europa League

By Joseph Sinke

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Ivelin Popov (R) of FC Spartak Moscow is challenged by Rizvan Utsiyev of FC Akhmat Grozny during the Russian Premier League match between FC Spartak Moscow and FC Akhmat Grozny at the Otkritie Arena Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 16: Ivelin Popov (R) of FC Spartak Moscow is challenged by Rizvan Utsiyev of FC Akhmat Grozny during the Russian Premier League match between FC Spartak Moscow and FC Akhmat Grozny at the Otkritie Arena Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images) /
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A look at how Rangers Europa Group Stage opponents are doing

This is a bit late but whatever. This is for last weeks games as well as the other group stage game between Rapid Wien and Spartak Moscow.

Villareal:

Prior to having Rangers come to Spanish soil and get a tie, Villareal got their first win of the young La Liga season against league bottom-feeder Leganes. Villareal got the victory courtesy of a Carlos Bacca goal in the 65th minute of the game.

Villareal, of course, responded to their first league victory by allowing Rangers to come into their home stadium and get a tie, so the jury is still very much out on whether or not they are really getting back into form. A 1-0 victory over the team literally at the bottom of the table hardly counts as a huge accomplishment for the yellow submarines.

Rapid Wien:

Last weekend Rapid Wien played in the Viena derby against arch-rivals Austria Wien. Rapid came up short in the derby, losing 1-0 to a goal in the 58th minute. Austria Wien is very near to Rapid in the middle of the table in the Austrian Bundesliga so it was expected to be a close match.

Spartak Moscow:

Russian Giants Spartak Moscow went into their match with Rapid Wien on a similar low-note by losing to Akhmat Grozny 2-1. Grozny scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to give Spartak Moscow their first defeat in league play this season.

Rapid Wien vs. Spartak Moscow:

Rapid Wien and Spartak Moscow met this past week in Europa league play. The game was played in Viena at Allianz Stadion. Rapid was victorious as the game finished 2-0 with Spartak scoring an own goal in the 50th minute and Wien added another as Thomas Murg got a breakaway that he finished deftly around the charging goalie.

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