Keith Jackson drools over GvB tactical brilliance in Rangers 2-2 v Borrusia Dortmund
Rangers completed a massive moment in their history after beating Borussia Dortmund 6-4 on aggregate to book a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
The Gers took a big 4-2 lead from first-leg and started the game brightly with James Tavernier scoring the opening goal. The German giants scored twice, but it was the Gers skipper again who restored Rangers’ two-goal advantage in an epic 10-goal tie.
Keith Jackson has suggested on The Daily Record that it was the half-time tactical switch that made the difference between the two sides.
He wrote in his column for The Daily Record: “A significant victory too for van Bronckhorst, who made a major tactical tweak at half-time with this tie in the balance and watched his team dominate the second 45 minutes in a style every bit as jaw-dropping as last week’s first leg.
“Van Bronckhorst’s first job of the night was also his easiest. He picked up last week’s teamsheet and handed it in again without making a single alteration on the basis that there was absolutely no need to change what had already broken Borussia down with such spectacular success.”
Incredible
Rangers only managed 34% of possession (BBC Sport) but registered seven shots on target.
At the break, Van Bronckhorst took Borna Barisic off and replaced him with Leon Balogun – a switch that helped them dominate the second half of the game.
The Dutchman revealed (24 February) after the game that the move was purely tactical, and it was their “plan C” which he felt was required at that stage.
This is a huge moment in the club’s history but what next for the Gers?
A shift in focus in European games can hamper their performance in the domestic league, especially as they wrestle to claw back a three-point gap on leaders Celtic.
On the other hand, the Gers managers can this as a huge motivation to fuel to player’s drive to win the Premiership once again.
The 1-1 draw against Dundee United revealed their unpredictable side, but the second-half performance (and overall) against Dortmund shows that they are more than capable of dealing with top-quality sides.
In other Rangers news, Chris Jack has had his way on refereeing conspiracy theories.