Trainer Ruud van Nistelrooy decided to leave Guus Til – who suffered a lot of ball loss in the last few games – outside the base. The coach chose Erick Gutierrez in midfield. The Mexican has already made a strong comeback on several occasions. In addition, André Ramalho started back in the starting line for the first time in a long time. Jordan Teze moved to right-back as a result. Ismael Saibari was also allowed to start on the right winger position again.
With 50,000 frenzied Rangers fans at Ibrox and old-fashioned Scottish weather (rain), the team of trainer Giovanni van Bronckhorst immediately wanted to storm the goal of PSV closing post Walter Benítez, but the Eindhoven team did not really let that happen in the initial phase. A Rangers offensive has yet to materialise.
Trainers Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ruud van Nistelrooy greet each other before the game.
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No rush Rangers
In fact, after just over 3 minutes, PSV had their first big chance. The cross came from the right of Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong had the ball from the air before running in, but he shot the ball over. The Eindhoven team remained calm on the ball and did not encounter any problems in the first twenty minutes. The Scottish kick and rush Van Bronckhorst had also gotten out of the old days, because long balls were hardly played there. That has sometimes been different on Ibrox. Yet there was only a shot from Malik Tillman to note.
It then also became a bit more tense for PSV, with Rangers more in the attack. In the 27th minute, hands were claimed by the Scots within 16 yards, but Daniele Orsato wouldn’t hear of it. And that, while Teze did get the ball against the arm after a header from very close. The VAR saw no penalty in it.
Two goals in a short time
It was 0-1 in the 37th minute. A corner from PSV was moderately cleared, straight at Ibrahim Sangaré. The midfielder was completely free and aimed the ball into the goal with his left leg: 0-1.
Ibrahim Sangaré puts PSV ahead.
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Van Nistelrooy and co could not enjoy this for long. An action by star and right back James Tavernier ended up at the feet of Antonio Colak: 1-1 in the 40th minute, in fact the first real chance for Rangers. Ibrox exploded at that moment.
Antonio Colak makes Ibrox explode.
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Shortly after the break Colak was allowed to fire, but Benítez took the bet. Two minutes later, Saibari scored the 1-2, but his punt just didn’t go in. In between, Armando Obispo and Connor Goldson had taken yellow. Saibari was allowed to strike again from the edge of the box, but he went over. PSV also seemed to have the first fifteen minutes of the second half under control. In fact, the team from Eindhoven had the upper hand and should have scored the second goal, especially via Saibari.
That didn’t happen and on the other side the goal did fall. In the 70th minute, Tom Lawrence scored from afar for a free kick. His effort was not great, but the new PSV goalkeeper Benítez let the ball go clumsily and saw the ball roll painfully slowly over the line: 2-1.
Van Nistelrooy got what it deserved with his team. Obispo towered over everyone at a corner in the 78th minute: 2-2. Five minutes later Philipp Max even seemed to make the 2-3, but closing post Jon Mclaughlin saved.
The exciting game did not lead to more chances. With 2-2, both teams face an exciting battle in Eindhoven next week.
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