Angelino scored a blinder as RB Leipzig edged Rangers 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
RB Leipzig sealed a valuable 1-0 victory in their first leg against Rangers, in the UEFA Europa League semi-final. It was a crucial victory for the Bundesliga giants, who will be heading to Ibrox next month, needing only a draw to secure their place in the final of the competition.
In a game where they were the undisputed favourites, it was a rather underwhelming performance from Leipzig. Although they did dominate the opposition, keeping possession and creating half chances, the hosts looked extremely wasteful in front of goal, with Christopher Nkunku missing at least two clear cut scoring opportunities.
Rangers, in response, tried their best to make things happen in the final third. They looked dangerous from set-pieces, in particular, while one or two occasional counter-attacks caused problems for the Leipzig defence as well, with Ryan Kent notably getting close to finding the back of the net.
After a series of missed chances, Leipzig found their winner late in the proceedings, when Angelino produced a stunning strike from outside of the penalty area to beat Allan McGregor in goal. The late strike was enough to seal the victory for the home side, who will need to produce a sturdy defensive effort in the second leg.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sets of players in their closely-contested affair at the Red Bull Arena this midweek.
RB Leipzig
Peter Gulacsi: 6/10
With Rangers only mustering one shot on target, Peter Gulacsi had a rather quiet evening, though he had to remain alert throughout the game, especially during set-piece situations. A valuable clean sheet for the RB Leipzig goalkeeper.
Lukas Klostermann: 7/10
Filling in for the suspended Mohamed Simakan at right centre-back, Lukas Klostermann had occasional problems dealing with the trickery of Kent.
Josko Gvardiol: 7.5/10
Josko Gvardiol was the only recognised centre-back in the RB Leipzig backline. He did not disappoint, producing a valiant defensive effort at the heart of the backline, though he was helped by the absence of a certain Alfredo Morelos.
Joško Gvardiol (20)??#RBLRFC
⏱️90
?️0.03 xA
?129(90.8%) Accurate Passes
?152 Touches
?Clean Sheet
?2/6 Ground Duels
✈️3/4 Aerials
?2/2 Tackles Won
?3x Dribbled Past
?3 Clearances
?1 Block
?16 Recoveries
⚠️14x Possession Lost
?1x Dispossessed
?11/16 Long Balls#UEL #RBL pic.twitter.com/UkkdYxDD5s— Football Report ?☮️???????? #BerhalterOut (@FootballReprt) April 28, 2022
Marcel Halstenberg: 7/10
Marcel Halstenberg did not have any problems filling in for the suspended Willi Orban. He was not tested at all as Rangers struggled to create anything meaningful going forward.
Benjamin Henrichs: 7/10
Benjamin Henrichs did well to keep up with Kent and minimise the influence of the former SC Freiburg starlet. Offensively, he was quite useful, offering those occasional forays down the flanks.
Konrad Laimer: 8/10
It was a fantastic display from Leipzig’s in-form midfielder. He showed incredible stamina and had the better of the Rangers midfielders throughout the game. The Austrian international will be in demand as we approach the summer transfer window.
Tyler Adams: 7/10
Tyler Adams did well to offer the energy and work ethic in the middle of the park. But he was not quite brilliant technically and might have to be content with a role on the bench in the second leg as Leipzig welcome back Kevin Kampl from suspension.
Angelino: 8/10
Angelino was a threat throughout the game due to his ability to make dangerous forays down the flank. He offered excellent offensive support on the night and notably found the opener with a stunning effort from outside the box.
ANGELIÑO. WHAT A VOLLEY. ?
RB Leipzig find the breakthrough with 6 minutes left to play. ? pic.twitter.com/xzTcJguOFO
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 28, 2022
Dani Olmo: 7.5/10
Dani Olmo had a slightly disappointing game given his lofty standards. He was a crucial outlet in Leipzig’s creative game and created a couple of brilliant goalscoring opportunities. Unfortunately, his teammates around him lacked the end product.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 6/10
Dominik Szoboszlai was given the nod ahead of a regular centre forward like Andre Silva. The move did not pay off for Domenico Tedesco as the Hungarian international failed to provide anything meaningful in the final third.
Christopher Nkunku: 6.5/10
Christopher Nkunku was a threat for Rangers throughout the game. The playmaker used his positioning sense to make useful runs in behind the backline, but he missed at least two golden opportunities to score. It was a rather disappointing game for the Frenchman, given his lofty standards.
SUBSTITUTES
Emil Forsberg: 6/10
Emil Forsberg was brought in for Olmo in order to change the complexion of the game. Although the playmaker has the knack for scoring important goals, he was not very useful against Rangers.
Andre Silva: 6/10
Andre Silva replaced Szoboszlai but did not make the desired impact on the proceedings.
Yussuf Poulsen: N/A
A late replacement for Nkunku. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Nordi Mukiele: N/A
A late replacement for Henrichs. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Rangers
Allan McGregor: 6/10
Allan McGregor was quite lucky in between the sticks as Leipzig wasted several goalscoring opportunities. But he was completely beaten late in the game thanks to Angelino’s vicious strike from range.
James Tavernier: 6.5/10
James Tavernier produced a good shift on the right hand side of the defence. He was solid in dealing with the threat of Szoboszlai, offering very little time and space for the Hungarian.
Connor Goldson: 7.5/10
Connor Goldson did relatively well in dealing with the pressure of Nkunku. Although the Frenchman managed to get in behind a couple of times, he was largely restrained well. An excellent defensive effort.
Btw give Goldson whatever he wants, was unreal tonight against Nkunku, robbed of a clean sheet
— crooksy (@_crooksy72) April 28, 2022
John Lundstram: 6.5/10
John Lundstram was assigned a more defensive role in light of Leipzig’s quality going forward. The move worked brilliantly, only for Angelino to ruin the night with a late strike.
Calvin Bassey: 6.5/10
Calvin Bassey was another Rangers defender that impressed on the night. His physical and aerial prowess was useful in dealing with the Leipzig attackers, even though he endured some nervy moments.
Borna Barisic: 6/10
Borna Barisic was perhaps the least impressive defender for Rangers on the night, as he looked clumsy and nervous on certain occasions. The Croat did remain steady defensively, though.
Ryan Jack: 6/10
Ryan Jack tried his best to remain solid in the middle of the park. However, his lack of technical quality and ability on the ball made it easier for Leipzig to create turnovers in crucial areas of the pitch. It ultimately translated into a lack of control in midfield for the away side.
Glen Kamara: 7/10
Glen Kamara was a much more reliable midfield outlet for Rangers FC. But he was often overwhelmed by the presence of Adams and Laimer, making it difficult for the Finnish international to control the proceedings.
Joe Aribo: 6.5/10
Joe Aribo had to operate in an interesting false nine role. He looked promising on the ball but lacked enough involvement to truly make a difference on the night. Rangers were quite unlucky to miss out on Alfredo Morelos.
Positions Joe Aribo has played for Rangers:
Left-back
Defensive midfield
Center-midfield
Number 10
Right wing
Left wing
Center-forwardSpecial footballer!! ?? ??
— Bade Onigbogi (@badeoni) April 28, 2022
Scott Wright: 4/10
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s decision to start Scott Wright ahead of Fashion Sakala did not pay off. The attacker had an evening to forget as he struggled to make any difference on the night and was mostly overwhelmed by the Leipzig defenders.
Ryan Kent: 7/10
Ryan Kent was quite promising as usual, offering trickery and dynamism on the flanks. His ability to probe the opposition with his quick feet helped Rangers to launch the occasional attack. The former Freiburg starlet was even close to finding the back of the net, but his effort was just wide.
SUBSTITUTES
Fashion Sakala: 6/10
Fashion Sakala replaced Wright midway through the second half. But he failed to make the desired impact as well, leaving Rangers once again ruing the absence of Morelos.
Scott Arfield: N/A
A late replacement for Aribo. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
James Sands: N/A
A late replacement for Jack. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
