Portuguese newspapers react to Rangers loss v Braga
Rangers suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Portuguese outfit Braga in the Europa League tie on Thursday night away from home.
Abel Ruiz’s effort just before the break proved to be the difference between the two sides, and Portuguese newspaper O Jogo writes that the Gers could have suffered more “humiliation” in the game.
The newspaper notes (08 April page 3) that it was “all or nothing” for Rangers in the second half.
“There are more options for the forward position and this was noticed already at an early stage of the game, when the coach made Roofe jump off the bench to return to the usual format, hoping to at least restore equality in the marker,” writes O Jogo.
“It was the all or nothing for Rangers, but it was worth little because Braga was consistent from start to finish and knew how to close when he already seemed to break physically, not resenting even the forced exit of Al Musrati, to accuse precisely wear.
“It was a Braga full of breath and, not even when Rangers released the “bikes” Sakala and Kent, both very fast and always with an eye on the goal to Matheus ‘ guard, lost the sense of orientation. It can even be said that the humiliation of Rangers could have assumed greater proportions.”
Another Portuguese newspaper, Record (08 April page 2), suggest that Rangers “accepted” the defeat by a “minimum margin”.
The newspaper wrote: “The goal of Abel Ruiz, even before the interval, seemed even natural and, repeat, there was only another goal and a little more courage in the 2nd part for the advantage to be greater, but there was also a Rangers much more worried about containing the minutes, accepting the defeat by the minimum margin and maybe betting that at home it will turn it around!”
Big second leg
Rangers need to regroup before the second leg at Ibrox on Thursday, and the Gers must believe they can secure a heroic win.
The Portuguese newspapers will obviously speak highly about their own team, but to suggest that Rangers could have suffered humiliation is utter nonsense.
The Bears improved in the second half, but what they lacked was more creativity. They could muster enough shots on target, and that was a big difference.
Both Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala had half-chances in quick succession, and if they could have converted those, the result would have been a lot different.
The home side thought Andre Horta had scored as his deflected shot rippled the net but referee Davide Massa ruled it out after checking the VAR monitor.
Although Allan McGregor wasn’t tested all too often, the Gers looked lacklustre.
They have now lost back to back games, but they can still turn it around in the next round.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart has shared his reaction to a “huge” development at Ibrox to come in April.