Leipzig (AP) – magic foot Angeliño was not too impressed by his dream goal. “I’ve scored better goals,” said the Spaniard dryly.
But perhaps the volley from 20 meters that led to the 1-0 first-leg win in the Europa League semi-finals against Glasgow Rangers is one of the more important goals in the 25-year-old’s career. Because Leipzig is just ahead of the second leg in a week’s time at the legendary Ibrox Stadium.
Will the first European final in club history follow?
That can only do the game good. Because in front of their own fans, the Scottish champions cannot build up 90 minutes around their own penalty area if they want to reach the final in Seville on May 18th. “The Rangers have to play differently at some point. At some point they have to come,” said RB coach Domenico Tedesco. His team found it so difficult in the first duel that Angeliño’s dream goal was needed.
Ideally, there are now just over 90 minutes that separate Leipzig from the first European final in the club’s history. Walling the runners-up in the Bundesliga does not want to reach the final. “I think we’ll have to score there,” stressed Tedesco. “Rangers play simple football with long balls, but something can always happen. You saw that against Dortmund.”
Scots remain optimistic
The Scots were also optimistic despite the late goal conceded. “We’ve done it before and hopefully we’ll do it again,” said attacker Ryan Kent. “There have been a lot of big European nights at Ibrox. You can really feel the support of the fans. That will drive us.”
While Leipzig showed in Bergamo and San Sebastian that you can play as a grown-up internationally, especially away from home, this applies to Rangers and their home games. They are still unbeaten in the knockout rounds at Ibrox Stadium, most recently succumbing to a 1-0 first-leg defeat at Sporting Braga. “Ibrox will give us a lot of energy,” said coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst. “We’ve shown character many times.”