Rabbi Matondo could face ruthless Michael Beale axe after wasteful performance in Rangers 1-0 win v Real Betis
Rangers got their Europa League campaign off to the best possible start as they secured a 1-0 win over Real Betis at Ibrox on Thursday but Michael Beale will be concerned by the wasteful showing of Rabbi Matondo.
Abdallah Sima’s second-half goal delivered a crucial victory making it two wins from two, relieving the pressure on Beale following their comfortable 2-0 triumph over St Johnstone on 16 September.
The forward poked home a shot from close range in the 67th minute to settle a competitive match between the two Group C favourites.
Beale’s side also struck the frame of the goal twice in a strong second-half display and had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for making several key saves, especially in the opening period.
Betis pushed for a leveller late on but two big saves from Butland denied substitute Rodri from snatching his side a point, but it could well have been a much comfortable scoreline had Matondo showed more composure in the final third.
The Light Blues could have been in front inside five minutes when Kemar Roofe’s searching pass sent Rabbi Matondo running clear but his weak shot was easily saved by Claudio Bravo.
The 23-year-old forward finished off a similar opportunity in the win over St Johnstone but could not do the same on Thursday highlighting his worrying consistency levels in a Rangers shirt.
Matondo certainly showed his electric class on the night, with some “amazing” dribbling and mazy runs but it was his indecision and lack of composure when it got to the crucial moments that meant the Gers were always hanging on to a 1-0 lead.
And the former Schalke man’s stats on the night certainly do not make for pleasing reading, registering just 37 touches in his 90 minutes on the pitch, successfully completing just 12 of his 15 passes, wasting two crossing opportunities, and completing just two of his five dribbles at a rate of 40% and winning just six of his 16 ground duels [SofaScore]
There is no doubt that Matondo’s pace is a great weapon for Michael Beale to have in his arsenal, and we can expect him to start more often but if Rangers are to consistently compete at the levels of Celtic this season, they will need cutting edge attacking outlets every game which Matondo is yet to provide despite his burgeoning electric qualities.
If the 23-year-old doesn’t mature his game pretty fast, he may be in danger of a ruthless and unfortunate axe from the Rangers starting eleven if he isn’t careful.
In other Rangers news, official club partners were blown away by the performance of one Beale favourite against Betis on Thursday.