3 minute read
18/2/2022 | 08:35am
Rangers enjoyed a sensational night in Europe as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team won 4-2 away from home on Thursday night.
The Gers were handed the perfect chance to take the lead against Borussia Dortmund when they were awarded a penalty, with the help of VAR. The ever-reliable James Tavernier placed the ball down on the spot and calmly tucked it away from 12-yards to make it 1-0.
Alfredo Morelos quickly made it two as he was quickest to react to a Joe Aribo flick-on from a corner to tap into an empty net from a yard out. John Lundstram made it 3-0 shortly after the half-time break, before Jude Bellingham quickly erased that goal with a fine strike from the edge of the box almost straight from kick-off.
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An own goal from Dan-Axel Zagadou made it 4-1, as Morelos’ ball across the box bounced off him and rolled into the corner. Dortmund then pulled another back late on as Guerreiro curled in a superb strike from 25 yards.
Forget Morelos
Whilst Morelos led the line brilliantly and played a direct hand in multiple goals, another Rangers star dominated the Westfalenstadion, namely Ryan Kent.
The English winger was electric from start to finish and set the tempo for the Gers with his early pressing off the ball and direct play in possession. His energy rubbed off on his teammates and played a major role in their fast start to the game, which then set up the rest of their performance to secure this huge victory.
The £18k-per-week gem dominated Dortmund on and off the ball. Defensively, he won an impressive ten of his 15 duels, also making four tackles and two interceptions whilst playing in a forward position. This shows how enthusiastic he was throughout the match, as he worked his socks off when out of possession to win the ball back for his side whilst also cutting out opposition attacks.
Offensively, he was a menace all night. As per SofaScore, he completed four of his six attempted dribbles and created three chances for his team-mates. One of those opportunities was tucked away brilliantly by Lundstram, after Kent’s excellent play down the flank to work the opening.
This shows that the 25-year-old had a massive impact at both ends of the pitch for Rangers, typifying their ambitious approach to the game. He dominated the pitch on and off the ball and the only thing missing from his display was a goal, but he did more than enough creatively to not need to get on the act himself.
Van Bronckhorst will surely be over the moon with Kent’s performance and hoping that he continues to deliver similar levels in the Premiership in the coming weeks, along with another masterclass in the reverse leg at Ibrox against Dortmund next week.
AND in other news, Forget Bassey: Van Bronckhorst can save Rangers millions with £14k-p/w “leader”, he’s a monster…
