Rangers - Bremen Werder X @ 3.00
Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers will be looking to convert their excellent domestic form into European dividends as they meet the talented German side Werder Bremen in the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup.Bremen are currently the main challengers to Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga and the Scottish side have a massive task on their hands if they are to make the last eight. Rangers edged past Greek side Panathinaikos on away goals in the previous round, whereas Bremen eased past Portuguese side Braga.
Rangers are currently on an excellent nineteen game unbeaten run in all competitions since their pivotal Champions League loss at home to Lyon in January. A continuation of that run following Thursday’s game will keep them in the hunt for progression to the Quarter-Finals but manager Walter Smith will know that going to Germany with a lead to protect is of huge importance. Therefore he faces a tough dilemma in deciding the set-up of his side for the Ibrox encounter.Smith could stick to his tried and trusted method that has brought a degree of success in Europe this season. For the vast majority of their continental campaign, the Gers have lined up with a packed five-man midfield and a lone striker leading the line, usually Daniel Cousin or Jean-Claude Darcheville. This has meant that top goalscorer Kris Boyd, scorer of 12 SPL goals in 14 starts this campaign, has frustratingly found himself surplus to requirements on the big stage despite his fantastic domestic form; making just two starts. This strategy has proved successful in terms of containing teams, but increasingly the Glasgow side are struggling to create enough chances.
Things changed against Panathinaikos in the previous round. Facing an uphill struggle in Greece following a 0-0 draw at home, Smith gave Boyd, alongside Spaniard Nacho Novo his chance to shine, and the duo linked to provide the vital away goal that gave the Scots an unlikely progression.So, will Smith look to revert to the lone-striker system, or will he keep faith with Boyd and give Rangers the best chance of scoring in front of their home fans. Stick or Twist? It is an intriguing dilemma that could prove crucial in terms of how the game is played, and of course the end result.Scoring goals at home has been the main problem in Europe this season, home clashes against Barcelona, Lyon, Vfb Stuttgart and the aforementioned Greeks have brought just two goals and realistically Rangers will need to score two on Thursday night alone, unless they can deny the Germans a critical away goal.They go into the game on good form. Nineteen games unbeaten and with a four point lead in the SPL, a CIS Cup final against Dundee United to follow swiftly after the second leg of this tie and continued involvement in the Scottish Cup, Smith is looking good to win some honours in his first season back with the Blues.
With eleven goals scored in the previous three matches, more of the same could give the Gers an important advantage.
Rangers are currently on an excellent nineteen game unbeaten run in all competitions since their pivotal Champions League loss at home to Lyon in January. A continuation of that run following Thursday’s game will keep them in the hunt for progression to the Quarter-Finals but manager Walter Smith will know that going to Germany with a lead to protect is of huge importance. Therefore he faces a tough dilemma in deciding the set-up of his side for the Ibrox encounter.Smith could stick to his tried and trusted method that has brought a degree of success in Europe this season. For the vast majority of their continental campaign, the Gers have lined up with a packed five-man midfield and a lone striker leading the line, usually Daniel Cousin or Jean-Claude Darcheville. This has meant that top goalscorer Kris Boyd, scorer of 12 SPL goals in 14 starts this campaign, has frustratingly found himself surplus to requirements on the big stage despite his fantastic domestic form; making just two starts. This strategy has proved successful in terms of containing teams, but increasingly the Glasgow side are struggling to create enough chances.
Things changed against Panathinaikos in the previous round. Facing an uphill struggle in Greece following a 0-0 draw at home, Smith gave Boyd, alongside Spaniard Nacho Novo his chance to shine, and the duo linked to provide the vital away goal that gave the Scots an unlikely progression.So, will Smith look to revert to the lone-striker system, or will he keep faith with Boyd and give Rangers the best chance of scoring in front of their home fans. Stick or Twist? It is an intriguing dilemma that could prove crucial in terms of how the game is played, and of course the end result.Scoring goals at home has been the main problem in Europe this season, home clashes against Barcelona, Lyon, Vfb Stuttgart and the aforementioned Greeks have brought just two goals and realistically Rangers will need to score two on Thursday night alone, unless they can deny the Germans a critical away goal.They go into the game on good form. Nineteen games unbeaten and with a four point lead in the SPL, a CIS Cup final against Dundee United to follow swiftly after the second leg of this tie and continued involvement in the Scottish Cup, Smith is looking good to win some honours in his first season back with the Blues.
With eleven goals scored in the previous three matches, more of the same could give the Gers an important advantage.
Labels: football, uefa cup live
posted by Midnight Sun @ 11:40,
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