Hello my name is Frankie Elliott and i will be taking you through tonights Europa League Group D fixture at the IBROX stadium between Rangers and Lech Poznan.
STARTING LINE UPS
5 Changes for Steven Gerrard’s team from their 2-0 win against Livingston on Sunday. Kemar Roofe comes in up front after scoring the longest ever goal in Europa League history last time out against Standard Liege
Manager Darius Zuraw has made 3 changes the side’s 1-1 draw in the league on Sunday, watch out for in form striker Mikael Ishak who has 9 goals in 12 games in all competition’s this season
KICK OFF
Did you know? This is the first meeting between the two sides in their history. The Ibrox club have however won the last 3 games against Polish opposition. scoring 9 in the last two.
6: Promising attack comes the way of Lech. Who attack down the right with Alan Czerwinski, his low pass finds Dani Ramirez on the edge of the box whose tame first time shot rolls tamly wide.
8: First signs of life for Ranagers on an attacking front comes as Glen Kamara sets of the highest scoring defender in Europe James Tavernier into the box. His cross is blocked and the Gers move tthe ball down to the left where Ryan Kent whips an inviting low cross to the back post. But no one is on the same page is him and the ball is cleared. Game already starting to open up
Embed from Getty ImagesDrizzly night in Glasgow, can Rangers make it 16 games unbeaten?
12: Another opening for Rangers as a thrown in from Borna Barisic allows Kemar Roofe to turn just outside the box and attack towards goal, he pulls the ball across the box and Ianis Hagi cannot sort his feet out as the ball arrives to him 12 yards out, his touch sends the ball out of play for a goal kick.
15: Steven Gerarrd shows us he hasnt lost it as he calmly controls a ball that flies towards him through his legs. On the pitch Ryan Kent is fouled just inside his own half by Filip Marchwinski as the blues try to counter
18: OHHHH Thats nasty….. Mikael Ishak gets a yellow but it could of easily been a red as as lose ball in the middle of the park gives him the oppertunity to slide in through Leon Balagon. Replays show that his studs were showing as he goes over the top of the ball. Lucky boy.
19: Another Rangers half chance as Scott Arfield this time has an effort from just outside the area that is straight at the keeper. Gerrard’s men having the better of the game so far.
25: Massive chance for Rangers as Barsic whips in a beauty from the left that finds Roofe unmarked from around 6 yards out at the back post. Somehow the former Leeds striker heads the ball into the ground rather then the back of the net. From the resulting bounce he attempts a bicycle kick that trickles past the right hand post. Seemed easier to score, maybe Roofe only does the spectacular?
Did you know?- Current Bayern Munich number 9 and world superstar Robert Lewandowski spent two seasons at Lech Poznan between 2008 and 2010. scoring 41 goals in 82 games.
Embed from Getty Images29: Very stop start game at the moment with neither team finding any flow, which you have to think would suit the vistors more
Embed from Getty Images33: Better from the polish side who keep the ball well for a 2 min spell, knocking the ball from side to side and making Rangers work. Space opens for Czerwinski on the right whose cross is blocked by Goldston. About as exciting as it gets at the moment….
Embed from Getty ImagesGerrard far from impressed so far, he will be seeing this game as massive oppertunity to go top in the group before there double header with Benfica.
40: When Rangers do look threatening… and that is a stretch. It is down the left with Barisic and Kent. Both have recived high praise this season. With some pundits saying that Gerrard may be fielding some calls in the summer asking about there services.
42: As i type that, Rangers attack down the right with a beautiful cut back cross from Tavernier finds Hagi free on the edge of the area. His volley can’t find its way though a sea of white shirts. When the ball finally pops out again Steven Davies has the ball at his feet and his reuslting shot goes sailing over the bar.
43: Game now has some life as Poznan counter attack down the right with Czerwinski who as he enters the box, lays the ball to Ishak, who curls his shot just over the bar. Difficult chance but he will be disappointed, especially with the form that he is in.
44: Free kick for the vistors just before half time around 30 yards out in lined up midfielder Jakub Moder, who will be of intrest to Brighton fans as he was signed last month for the seagulls for £10 million before being loan backed to the 7-time Ekstraklasa champions. His speculartive effort goes just wide of Allan McGregor’s left post.
45: HALF TIME RANGERS 0 LECH POZNAN 0
Very flat first half from the SPL league leaders. The sort of game fans will be glad they are not in the ground for. Darius Zuras will be the happier manager of the two. Biggest talking point will be whether Ishak should of been sent off, not many major events otherwise.
Lets hope for a much improved second half
Both teams are out for the start of the second half. Simply the best blasting though the tannoys, Gerrard will certainly be looking for a better second half.
SECOND HALF KICK OFF
To cheer us up, lets rewatch Roofe’s wondergoal from last thursday. Seems to get better every time you watch it..
48:Poznan start the second half well, Ishak starts a counter attack with a through ball down the right that is met by an onrushing Czerwinski. The young polish right back has plenty of space as he drives it across Mcgregor’s goal. All it needs is a toe on it but there is not a attacking player close enough to met it. Promising start
50:Lech Poznan’s most threatning player as been the young right back Alan Czerwinski. Who made his international debut for Poland in there Nations league fixture vs Finland last month.
Embed from Getty Images52: With both Alfredo Moreles and Jermaine Defoe on the bench, with 434 career goals between them. You wonder how long it will be before Gerrard makes a change
53: A free kick close to the byeline on the left for Poznan is headed out to Ramirez, whose curling cross finds the head of captain Thomas Rogne who flicks it wide of the right hand post, Another good chance.
55:First signs of life from the home side as Davies breaks though the midfield and when it looks like a good oppertunity to unleash an effort. He is instead plays a cute pass to Kamara and the play breaks down. Filip Bednarek is still waiting to make his first save of the night.
Embed from Getty ImagesYou would expect a change sometime soon from one of these managers. Most likely Gerrard
60: It looks likely we will see the debut of Bongani Zungu…
60: Nice turn from Arfield in the attacking third, he strikes from 25 yards out, its hard and low but also travelling past the left hand post.
62: Substitution. Lightning doesnt strike twice for Roofe as his night is over. coming off for Morelos.
63: The Coloumbians first touch sets of Hagi down the left, but it comes to nothing. The Gers are starting to win the ball back higher up the field and upping the tempo. But still no major chances
64:Rangers corner is whipped in by captain Tavernier. Its falls to Morelos with his back to goal. On the turn he hits a shot towards goal from 6 yarsd out but it is blocked.
68- GOAL RANGERS 1ALFREDO MORELOS LECH POZNAN 0
The change works! Rangers have looked a lot more threating in the last 10 minutes and its a beautiful cross from Barisic whose curling balls finds the substitute who gets across his marker and heads in from arond 4 yards out.
70:That goal draws Morelos level with Ally Mccoist for leading all time scorer in Europe for the blues.
Embed from Getty Images70: Rangers sub- Hagi off, match winner from the weekend Joe Airbo on
72: Only one team looking like scoring now, its that man again Morelos who picks up the ball on the right edge of the box. His low driven shot is a comfertable save for Bednarek.
73: A lot of credit has to be given for Barsic for that goal, a man who has been great form this season for Rangers. He recieved the praise of former Ger’s striker and fellow countrymen Nikica Jelavic earlier this week as well. Hasnt let you down so far Nikica!
https://insidefutbol.com/2020/10/28/borna-barisic-suites-what-rangers-need-former-gers-star/479372/
75: First sub for the vistors Skyoras off, Jan Skyora on
76: Another good chance for Rangers again created via there number 20 Morelos, he lays off the ball to Tavernier who hits the byeline and his low driven cross meets the boot of the oncoming Aribo at the near post. But he misjudges the pace of the ball and hits it into the stands. Decent chance.
78: Have to fancy the home side to come away with all 3 points here, Considering they have only conceded 4 all season and kept 13 clean sheets. Poznan are up agianst it to come away with something
80: Double substitution for Gerrards team: Ryan Jack and Brandon Barker on, Arfield and Kent off
81: Second change for the Poznan. Marchwinski off, Mohammad Awaed on
83: Brandon Barker has his first impact on the game as he cuts in from the left and hits a shot from the edge of the area. Its a decent effort as he tries to find the far coner but goes wide
86:
87: Another substiution for Poznan as spanish playmaker Ramirez comes off for Nika Kacharava. The away side are trying to conjure something againsta deep lying Rangers defence. Awaed hits and hopes from around 30 yards that goes glying over the bar.
90: 3 minutes of added time. banker this will finish 1-0…..
FULL TIME RANGERS 1 LECH POZNAN 0
Stevie G pumps his fist, he knows that was an important win. This was by know means a glittering display from his side. But they got the win and were much improved in the second half. Morelos record equalling 21’st european goal and Rangers 14’th clean sheet of the season help them unbeaten this season.
Man of the Match: Alfredo Morelos. Came on, changed the game and scored the winner.
Embed from Getty ImagesThats all from tonight, i hope you enjoyed. Goodnight!
