Sports
RANGERS failed to back up their impressive Europa League opening win against Malmo as they were undone by a lethal Lyon at Ibrox.
Spearheaded by the fantastic Malick Fofana, the French side were a level above their Scottish hosts and the teenager quickly had them ahead as he placed a peach of a strike right in the corner.
The home support, enthused by the fine win in Sweden last week, had set off a sea of flares and fireworks before kick-off and did have something to celebrate as Tom Lawrence levelled.
Corentin Tolisso had tried to tamely head back to Lucas Perri in goal, but Cyriel Dessers was alert to nip in, nick and nudge it in the way of Lawrence, who finished.
In similar fashion to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday, though, Rangers struggled to contain high-calibre European opponents.
Connor Barron’s slack backpass was pounced on by Fofana and the 19-year-old unselfishly served up Alexandre Lacazette to calmly slot in.
The former Arsenal striker’s second was a rocket and left Jack Butland grasping at air.
Lyon’s threat on the flanks was constant, with young wingers Rayan Cherki and Fofana running Rangers ragged.
The former bamboozled Barron in the box before putting the ball on a plate for Fofana to tap in his second.
It finished at four, but it could have been more. Duje Caleta-Car powered a header on to a post before Tolisso’s follow-up was whisked off the line.
Kieran Dowell’s dangerous strike was saved by Parri, but it would have only been a consolation as Rangers were outclassed by their French visitors.
Rangers lack potency to puncture soft defence
The Malmo result altered the mood at Rangers and had some sections of the support dreaming of another epic run in the Europa League.
While those dreams are far from over, this was a crashing return to reality against a rampant Lyon side.
There was much talk pre-match of the financial gulf between the two, and while that was abundantly evident in the French side’s attack, Rangers lacked the potency to puncture their soft defence.
Before they were behind, Clement’s side could have had a two-goal cushion.
On the night James Tavernier made his 49th appearance in the competition – the most of any English player – his sliced shot was superbly saved from an acute angle, while Vaclav Cerny inexplicably skied over with the goal gaping.
In total, Rangers had more shots than their visitors – 16 to 15. But in moments like that, matches like this, they have to be more clinical.
While Lyon were classy and composed, the truth is Rangers may well face sterner tests in this competition.
Fabulous Fofana freaks out Ibrox
Pre-match, the talk was all about Lyon’s experience. Lacazette. Nemanja Matic. Tolisso. Nicolas Tagliafico. Ainsley Maitland-Miles.
Yes, Lacazette scored twice but the headlines were stolen by teenager Fofana.
His energy, ability and speed was frightening. Along with Cherki, they stretched the Ibrox pitch and caused havoc.
The young Belgian joined in January for a fee up to 17m euros. On this evidence, it’s a bargain and he’ll make them a bundle in return.
His power and potency typified a Lyon side who were ferocious on the counter-press.
There was a slight train of thought the French side might be there for the taking. That couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Pierre Sage’s side were a joy to watch and at times, that’s all Rangers could do. Watch on and be taught a European lesson.
What they said
Rangers manager Phillipe Clement: “I think we started with good intentions, good intensity, good quality.
“To put fire in the stands, to have an amazing European evening and you have 200% chances the first two chances of the game – you need to kill them off to get a special European night.
“It’s like that against teams with this quality. You don’t get so many chances so that’s disappointing, but 1-4 is really harsh result.
“Both teams had the same amount of chances but that’s the difference in quality, that they’re more killing those moments and don’t need many chances to score.” – BBCSport
A.I
Oct. 4, 2024
Tags: Corentin Tolisso
