Rangers’ thrilling 2-0 victory away at Malmo to start their Europa League campaign could have been much more comfortable.
Nedim Bajrami gave the Light Blues the lead inside a minute of the restart after Cyriel Dessers grabbed a back ball and struck the bar. Vaclav Cerny then squandered a guilt-edged chance to increase the lead after the Albanian played through.
After a solid first half, the visitors had numerous opportunities to go ahead and ought to have been out of sight. However, Dessers lost a fantastic opportunity late on, and Ross McCausland eventually scored the second goal in the 76th minute after pounced on another loose ball just outside the box and fired low off the near post.
Ibrox News gives the Rangers players’ performances in Sweden a score of 10 out of 10.
Jack Butland, 6
majority of the time a spectator. did not have much to do after coming dangerously close to making the same error that the Rangers had profited from in his first significant engagement. Perhaps the biggest contribution of his was booked for time wastage.
James Tavernier – 4
Not very good. Generally had his hands full with the winger and appeared vulnerable to Hugo Bolin’s rushes in the back, appearing to deteriorate defensively as the game wore on. He frequently appeared more attractive when staring ahead rather than back towards his own objective. Immediately following the break, stopped one significant threat by posing a crucial challenge to Anders Christiansen.
Robin Propper – 6
Better. Nothing spectacular enough to allay early disillusionment with his performances, but the fact that his evening was largely unremarkable must be taken as a plus. gave up many risky fouls after the half, but in the end, he appeared to be a little more in control under duress in the latter stages. Unquestionably something to expand upon.
John Souttar – 7
Generally strong performance in the opening forty-five minutes at the back, without much pressure. He can have a desperate appearance when the heat is applied, but he held his own against the hosts, who increased their threat after the break and made many crucial clearing headers.
A strong debut for Neraysho Kasanwirjo with the Rangers
Neraysho Kasanwirjo – 7
Jefte’s suspension allowed Gers to make their encouraging left-wing debut, as he looked strong in the tackle and moved forward to connect up attacking play. Although he didn’t seem like he belonged at left defence, he had good all-around ability and was a solid defender. late on, after being set up by the outstanding Bajrami, should have scored.
Connor Barron – 7
Another exciting passing show throughout the opening frame, but as the hosts applied more pressure, it waned after the interval and was too easily avoided. slid deeper as the Rangers maintained their lead and was able to play himself back into the game.
Diomande Mohamed – 7
Crucial, combative performance. Although it was up and down at times and occasionally lost possession in the first half, it was ultimately quite good. Some excellent ball turns and passes, as well as a few crucial late defensive stops. Despite being under pressure to play a soft early yellow, he didn’t allow that stop him from helping to keep the score clean after the break.
Nedim Bajrami (Match of the Match) – 9
Extremely impressive in a match when he consistently put Malmo on the defensive and produced a number of good opportunities. When given with an opportunity he could not pass up, it was the ideal way for him to create his Rangers account. After he found Cerny with a superbly-timed through-ball, he should have had at least three assists as well. Dessers wasted another one after the break, and Kasanwirjo even more so. overplayed himself on one well-executed move when he ought to have had a second, but the rapport with Dessers already appears to be very good. Possibly grew more powerful as the game progressed.
In Malmo, Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami work well together.
Tom Lawrence – 5 (absent for Raskin ’80)
Far too silent. put in Dessers on the edge of the box, a hazardous position that he was simple to miss otherwise but unable to take advantage of halfway through the first half. Within an hour, skewed a good opportunity well over with a ball played from Cerny just behind him.
Vaclav Cerny – 2 (absent due to McCausland ’69)
a difficult evening. A lacklustre first half was characterised by his being taken off the ball too easily and losing possession multiple times. To top it off, he horribly missed a great opportunity when Bajrami played him clean through and he curled wide. Not the only one to blow a chance, but among those that did, this one performed the worst overall.
Cyriel Dessers – 7
The finest and worst in the Desser community. Ultimately, a strong away striker’s performance in Europe—which may have been much more—was required because Hamza Igamane wasn’t available off the bench. He was instrumental in a lot of the build-up play, thus none of the better opportunities would have occurred without him, but he probably ought to have scored a hat-trick. Before a poor miss in the second half, he should have taken the lead after deft work to steal the loose ball and round the keeper on one occasion and overcomplicated when well situated on the edge of the box. Had a good penalty shout waved away after having his shirt pulled away from him, and the way he worked in tandem with Bajrami was really positive.
Replacements
For Cerny ’69, Ross McCausland – 8
Perfect force off the bench. He took it upon himself to make and convert one on his own when his colleagues were trying to create and waste chance after chance between them.
On for Lawrence ’80, Nico Raskin – 6
late start to aid in tensing up to protect the lead.
For Bajrami ’84, Dujon Sterling (on) – 6
While his little time on the pitch, assisted in relieving some pressure.
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