Rangers suffer narrow defeat in Germany

Rangers suffered a narrow defeat to RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final after a moment of brilliance from Angelino.

The Bundesliga side had few chances but take a narrow lead to Glasgow thanks to a stunning Angelino volley five minutes from time.

Ryan Kent flashed a rare chance wide for Rangers, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will have to come from behind at Ibrox next week.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor tipped Tyler Adams’s shot over the bar just minutes before the former Manchester City defender Angelino fired in the winner.

Rangers overcame a 1-0 first-leg defeat against Braga in the last round and will look for another memorable night at Ibrox to see them through to their first European final in 14 years.

First, there is the matter of an Old Firm game with Rangers going to Celtic Park on Sunday six points behind the cinch Premiership leaders with four fixtures remaining and the Hoops also enjoying an advantage in goal difference.

It is therefore a pivotal week for the Gers who turned in another tenacious performance in Europe.

With strikers Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe still out injured, Van Bronckhorst had to adapt and in what looked like a 5-3-2 formation with midfielder John Lundstram moved back, he gave a start to Stephen Wright up front with Ryan Kent.

Joe Aribo, Kent, Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Calvin Bassey all returned for the Govan side while RB Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco was without midfielder Kevin Kampl and defenders Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan through suspension.

Star striker Cristopher Nkunku led the line, backed by Spain winger Dani Olmo and Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai.

There was little respite for the Light Blues and in the 16th minute Bassey blocked a goal-bound shot from Nkunku before Connor Goldson, with equal desperation, prevented Szoboszlai’s shot troubling McGregor.

With their first corner just before the half-hour mark, Goldson headed Borna Barisic’s delivery over the bar but Rangers were soon defending again with skipper James Tavernier getting in the way of a terrific strike from Angelino.

With Aribo further up after the break, Rangers had their first real chance at the start of the second half when Kent worked some space in the RB Leipzig box and fizzed the ball across the front of skipper Peter Gulacsi’s goal but found no takers.

At the other end, McGregor beat away a drive from Nkunku – a reminder for the Govan men of the home side’s threat.

RB Leipzig took a grip and Rangers were again on the back foot but still the Ibrox side’s defence defended resolutely.

Fashion Sakala replaced Wright after 68 minutes and moved into the centre-forward position but moments later the visitors should have found themselves behind.

Nkunku burst into the Rangers box and rounded McGregor but with the goal gaping he hammered the ball over the bar – it was a huge let-off for the Light Blues.

In the 75th minute Gulacsi gathered a long-distance effort from Kent before Nkunku beat Bassey to a header but again missed the target and then McGregor tipped a shot from Adams over the bar.

From the corner Sakala headed clear but only to Angelino, who volleyed past the Gers ‘keeper from 20 yards to give the home side the advantage for the game in Glasgow.

What’s next?

Rangers travel to Celtic as they try to close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The game will be live on Sky Sports Football this Sunday from 11am; Kick off 12pm.

RB Leipzig travel to Borussia-Park where they will play Borussia Mochengladbach. An away win will further help secure Leipzig’s place in the Champions League next season; they currently trail in third place behind Bayer Leverkusen by one point.