Rangers’ Europa League matchup with Lyon taught them a valuable lesson in top-tier finishing.
There was an astonishing disparity in both sides’ poise throughout the last ball and finish.
Rangers exerted sufficient pressure on Lyon, but the manager has come under fire for his methods, and the Ibrox supporters are beginning to lose patience with a team they can’t seem to trust.
Infuriated with the Rangers’ strategy against Lyon, Jack Butland
Given that the starting quarterback for the Gers appears to be disliking the strategy, Jack Butland may also be invited to Philippe Clement’s office:
They have excellent individual quality and make a very strong team.
We’re disappointed that we’ve given them far too many chances to demonstrate that.
“We required an alternative strategy.
“We didn’t perform well enough when we needed to foul and prevent them from establishing a rhythm.
“We provided them with simple chances to demonstrate their genuine individual potential.
It seems to be one that appears worse than it actually is. We gave it a bit too much end-to-end flexibility.
“We want to exert pressure at home. We applied some early pressure to them.
“They were unable to execute from the rear.
We succeeded in making them anxious.
However, we were unable to maintain it and lost out on possibilities.
“It begins to flee from you.”
It was an odd game.
Rangers appeared at ease in control and regularly moved the ball into the final third.
Additionally, there were more than enough opportunities to be tied at the half.
Is Butland mocking Clement’s strategies?
There are two possible interpretations for Butland’s remarks.
The 31-year-old may be discussing how Rangers are positioned to handle Lyon, but he may also be discussing winning individual battles and mental toughness.
Too many Rangers players failed to win their one-on-one matches across the pitch, as Steven Gerrard once said when discussing winning the right to play.
Given how Butland discussed making it too simple for Lyon to get up to speed, this argument makes more sense.
The distinction between James Tavernier and Neraysho Kasanwirjo served as the greatest illustration.
Having had a rough night at work, the skipper left the pitch in a despondent manner when he was removed at the hour mark.
Due to Tavernier’s excessive space gifting, any attack on his part created issues.
Tavernier leaves Alexandre Lacazette too much room to cut inside on his 25-yard screaming strike, then just gives up, leaving the central defenders vulnerable.
Almost immediately after entering the game, Kasanwirjo shut down Lyon’s left flank by marking his opponent more tightly and being more aggressive.
Just application and desire—nothing complex.
The kind of strategy Butland was referring about.
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