Joe Ellis

Wed 29 December 2021 9:22, UK

Former Rangers player Jorg Albertz can sense a potential upset when the Gers take on German giants Borussia Dortmund in February’s Europa League play off.

Albertz, who spent his career largely in Germany and Scotland, believes there are weaknesses to Dortmund’s game that Rangers can exploit to overcome their opponents.

The 50-year-old singled out Alfredo Morelos as a key element of what he thinks should be Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s game plan.

“The Dortmund defence hasn’t looked too convincing in recent games,” said Albertz, as quoted by Football Scotland.

“I like Mats Hummels at the back. He is a player I like a lot but he has lost some of the pace he had at his peak.

“Hummels though still reads the game perfectly and knows where he needs to be and when, so he doesn’t need to run much.

“If Rangers can get him one-on-one then that is a weakness Rangers can get at through somebody like Alfredo Morelos.”

Tough, but not Impossible

Rangers fans will be expecting a very difficult game against the German side who have regularly made the Champions League knockout stages in recent years.

They will be especially aware of the damage Erling Haaland could cause given the chance with every big club in Europe wanting to bring the Norwegian into their side.

While Haaland will be a danger whenever he receives the ball, Rangers can still dampen his impact by targeting other players in Black and Yellow.

Being knocked out of the Champions League by Sporting and a dominant Ajax shows Dortmund are well below their usual standards in Europe this season and complacency could impact them against the Gers.

If van Bronckhorst can stop the ball from reaching Haaland in the first place through intense midfield pressing, Rangers have every chance of causing a big upset on the continental stage.

Any of the eight group winners could await the Gers’ in the round of 16 including West Ham, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen.

In other Rangers News: Chris Jack reveals injury concerns for Gers’ midfielder.