Rangers registered a 3-1 win in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against RB Leipzig to book a spot in the finale versus Eintracht Frankfurt.
Rangers came into the encounter down 1-0 on aggregate following an RB Leipzig win in the first leg. Though the second leg was scheduled to be played at the Ibrox, many considered Rangers the second favourite. However, the Scottish side defied all expectations by emerging 3-2 winners on aggregate.
James Tavernier opened the scoring for Rangers in the 18th minute before Glen Kamara doubled their lead six minutes later. Christopher Nkunku got one back for Leipzig 20 minutes into the second half to get on level terms in aggregate.
But John Lundstram’s strike in the 80th minute was enough to send the home side into the Europa League final, to be played in Seville on May 18.
Here’s how players from both the sides fared in the all-important semi-final second leg.
The 2022 Europa League final! ?
?? Frankfurt vs Rangers ???????#UELfinal | #UEL pic.twitter.com/n1JxngPYOQ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 5, 2022
Rangers
Allan McGregor: 6/10
Rangers’ shot-stopper did not have much to do in the encounter but did well to stop Konrad Laimer to score from a one-on-one situation. He was not quite accurate with his passing, completing just 58% of them.
James Tavernier: 8/10
Tavernier opened the scoring for Rangers to become the tournament’s top-scorer this season with seven strikes. He was a constant menace down the right flank, playing in three crosses. He also created a big chance.
John Lundstram: 7/10
Lundstram scored the all-important winner in the 80th minute to take Rangers to the final of the competition. He was strong defensively as well, making four clearances, three interceptions, blocking a shot and completing two tackles.
Connor Goldson: 7/10
Goldson started in the centre of a back three for Rangers and produced an assured performance. He made five clearances and six interceptions and also blocked a shot. He was not shy of venturing forward either.
The Blue Sea of Ibrox ? pic.twitter.com/XkeiddH4KE
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 5, 2022
Calvin Bassey: 7/10
Bassey completed a strong defensive performance from Rangers’ centre-backs. He was at hand to close down Dani Olmo who tried to threaten at times. He made four clearances and as many as five tackles in the match.
Borna Barisic: 6/10
The left wing-back bombed up and down the flank but did not contribute with anything significant on either side. He was shaky defensively at times, making just two clearances and as many tackles.
Scott Wright: 6/10
Wright assisted Kamara for his goal and produced a decent overall performance. In his 59-minute stay on the pitch, Wright made just 25 touches of the ball and played in three crosses.
Ryan Jack: 6/10
Jack held his position at the centre of the park as Glen Kamara ventured forward. He took a shot on goal and was solid defensively, making two clearances, blocking a shot and completing one tackle.
Glen Kamara: 8/10
Kamara popped up all over the pitch, especially in attacking positions. He scored his side’s second goal of the night to give them some cushion over Leipzig going into the second half.
? For Jimmy pic.twitter.com/ll7zIPzjg0
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 5, 2022
Ryan Kent: 7/10
Kent was at his creative best for Rangers, providing an assist and playing two key passes in total. He took a shot and played in two crosses into the box.
Joe Aribo: 6/10
Aribo missed a golden opportunity to increase Rangers’ lead in the first half. He was forced off at half-time due to a blow to his head.
SUBSTITUTES
Fashion Sakala: 5/10
Fashion Sakala came on for Joe Aribo just before half-time but was largely anonymous. He managed just 13 touches of the ball for the duration he was on the pitch.
Scott Arfield: 5/10
Arfield came on for Wright in the 59th minute and did not do much going forward. He was forced to defend as Rangers tried to protect their lead.
Leon Balogun: 4/10
Balogun slotted into the backline upon his arrival in the 59th minute. He made one tackle and won two ground duels and an aerial duel.
RB Leipzig
Full time in Glasgow pic.twitter.com/UTjddxui4B
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) May 5, 2022
Peter Gulasci: 5/10
The Leipzig shot-stopper could make just one save in the match while conceding three goals. He could not do anything to stop the home side from making a comeback in the tie.
Lukas Klostermann: 6/10
The Leipzig centre-back showed strength in duels, winning six ground and two aerial duels. He could have done better in the build-up for Rangers’ first goal. In all, he made five tackles, two interceptions and three clearances.
Willi Orban: 5/10
Orban was asked to bomb up the pitch quite often to close out Rangers attacks. He also took two shots on goal but could not do much to prevent the home side from scoring thrice in the encounter.
Josko Gvardiol: 6/10
Gvardiol struggled to contain the likes of Tavernier and Wright on his flank. He was quite involved in the gameplay, however, and completed all three of his attempted dribbles. He missed a big opportunity to score as well and completed five of the 11 long balls he attempted.
Benjamin Henrichs: 5/10
Henrichs struggled on both ends of the pitch and had a forgettable outing. He could make just one interception and clearance each while taking just one shot on target. He played a key pass as well but to no avail.
Kevin Kampl: 4/10
Kampl’s error eventually led to Rangers’ opening goal. He was not confident in possession and also misjudged his tackles. He won four ground duels and also took a shot.
That kind of game. ??
?⚪ #WeAreLeipzig #UEL #RFCRBL 0-0 (13') pic.twitter.com/Go5FC6qK2U
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) May 5, 2022
Konrad Laimer: 6/10
Laimer carried the ball forward from the midfield, providing the impetus to Leipzig’s attacks. There was no end product to all his efforts, however. He played a key pass but also missed a big chance to score. Laimer won six ground duels and also completed three tackles.
Angelino: 6/10
Angelino provided the assist for Nkunku’s goal but was also at fault for Tavernier’s opener for Rangers. He played in nine crosses into the box and created two big chances. Angelino lost possession far too often, however, with 22 such instances.
Dani Olmo: 4/10
Much was expected of Dani Olmo, but he had a disappointing outing. He could take just one shot on goal and played one key pass, failing to get into goal-scoring positions or create some for his teammates.
Christopher Nkunku: 7/10
WHAT. A. PLAYER!!!! ?
?⚪ #WeAreLeipzig #UEL #RFCRBL 2-1 (70') pic.twitter.com/T1uz5NWb4N
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) May 5, 2022
Nkunku brought Leipzig back into the tie with a 70th-minute goal. But leading up to the strike, there was not much that the attacker offered. He took just one more shot, created a big chance and also played two key passes. The shift to a central role worked in his favour.
Yussuf Poulsen: 6/10
Poulsen’s physicality was difficult to handle for Rangers at times, but he was not quite clinical in front of goal. The Dane was eventually taken off in the 82nd minute for Andre Silva as Leipzig were searching for a goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Dominik Szoboszlai: 5/10
Szoboszlai came on for Olmo in the second half and had a busy 28 minutes on the pitch. He played one key pass and also created a big chance.
Andre Silva: N/A
Silva came on for Poulsen in the 82nd minute and did not do enough to warrant a rating.
Marcel Halstenberg: N/A
Halstenberg came on for Angelino in the 82nd minute. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
