Five talking points as Rangers and PSV serve up a goalfest

Ibrox, the Champions League play-off round first leg,  Rangers vs PSV and the end result was 2-2. It was all very similar to last year. Rangers will be hoping the return leg in the Philips Stadion goes exactly how last season went.

The game itself was an end-to-end battle in the second half at least. First half, PSV had all the ball but couldn’t cut Rangers’ defensive shape open to create a real clear-cut chance. They got hit with the old sucker-punch on the stroke of half-time when Abdallah Sima opened up his right foot and curled a shot into the top corner way beyond Benitez.

The second half descended into chaos. Sangare, just like last year, found the net and then Rabbi Matondo was on the end of fantastic Ranger counter which included Todd Cantwell winning the ball in midfield and a Cyriel Dessers inch-perfect pass to the Welshman who smartly finished first-time.

It was an action packed match at Ibrox and I will look at some of the talking points that arose from the fixture.

For all of PSV’s possession in the first half, they found it hard to play through Rangers’ shape

The stats showed that PSV had 29% of possession in the first half. However, they didn’t penetrate the centre of Rangers team; most of their attacks had to come from wide areas where they were able to take advantage of Rangers’ narrow 4-3-3 shape.

The tweet above shows Rangers’ shape in the early stages. Cantwell is narrow on the right, Sima wide on the left and that flat three in midfield with two wide shuttlers in Raskin and Cifuentes.

PSV only managed two shots on target in that first half – the same as Rangers, but none of them were what you would call real chances. Noa Lang’s effort was easily saved and his fellow wide man Johan Bakayoko saw his effort from rage go into Butland gloves.

Rangers’ pressing triggers led to chances and goals

Rangers’ pressing on the night wasn’t coordinated and at times there were gaps were left due to players not going in groups at times and that left PSV many chances in transition and they just couldn’t take advantage.

However, when Rangers did get their press right; it created a goal. The clip below shows Raskin and Dessers pressing Sangare into the error, which allows Dessers to cut the ball back for Sima to curl his effort into the top corner. It was one of the few times Rangers were willing to go and press Sangare in the first half and it paid off.

Similarly for the second goal on the counter, Cantwell could hold his position, but he goes and presses the outspoken Joey Veerman, wins it and starts the move. Dessers does well to stay onside and play a magnificent pass to Matondo who was the coolest man inside Ibrox to finish.

Connor Goldson was outstanding

Even though Rangers conceded two on the night. Connor Goldson showed why he is so important to this Rangers side. In open play he handled Luuk de Jong very well – much better than the corresponding fixture last season.

The Englishman’s defensive stats were impressive.  1/2 tackles won, four blocks, three clearances, one headed clearance, four recoveries, and he won 3/4 of his ground duels and 3/10 aerial duels.

Rabbi Matondo – who is this new player?

Matondo replaced Sima on the 67th minute and it’s amazing what a bit of confidence can do. He was in the mood to run at Teze and obviously he scored the second Rangers goal. It’s one thing making an impact against Livingston and Morton but he may just may be ready to kickstart his Rangers career and contribute in a meaningful fashion.

23 minutes played, one goal, 4/5 successful dribbles, one recovery and he had Teze worried more than Sima on that side. I don’t think he’s the replacement for Ryan Kent, but he’s showing himself to be a decent option at this point in the season. Confidence seems to me king with young Rabbi.

All to play for in the Netherlands

PSV will be massive favourites to progress next week. However, they were at this point last season, too. Rangers will get chances in Eindhoven, but I feel it’s key that Rangers score first.

Furthermore, last night was the first time a Peter Bosz side didn’t win at Ibrox – he managed Lyon and Leverkusen in previous years, and here’s hoping he keeps up PSV’s miserable Champions League qualification record next week.