ANGELINO’S 85TH GOAL HELP LEIPZIG GET A WIN AT HOME AGAINST RANGERS IN EUROPA SEMIFINAL FIRST LEG.
A late goal from Angeliño handed RB Leipzig a slender 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final tie with Rangers, as ‘Die Roten Bullen’ maintained their record of scoring in every European game this season.
It was very clear from the outset that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side had come to contain their opponents and make sure the tie was still alive heading back to Ibrox next week. Leipzig, who sit fourth in the Bundesliga, were in control throughout the first half when it came to possession, with the ‘Gers’ content to sit back and look for chances on the break.
Despite their dominance of the ball, the hosts found clear-cut opportunities hard to come by, with Rangers holding a good defensive shape. Neither side were able to register a shot on target in an opening 45 minutes which lacked attacking quality. The closest Domenico Tedesco’s side came was when Angeliño’s volley from inside the area was blocked by James Tavernier.
‘Gers’ goalkeeper Allan McGregor had a fairly quiet evening between the sticks, but he needed to be alert to push Christopher Nkunku’s stinging shot away from close range. The French striker was involved again not long after when Dani Olmo’s precise pass played him into space, but after rounding McGregor, he was unable to add to the 30 goals he has scored this season as he blazed his shot high and wide.
The pressure from the home side was relentless throughout the second half, and it finally paid off when the ball fell to Angeliño just outside the area. The Spaniard unleashed a powerful first time volley which beat McGregor to find the left corner to give his side a crucial lead.
The late goal is undoubtedly a setback to Rangers’ hopes of progressing to the final, although they will still maintain hope that a feverish atmosphere at Ibrox next week will be able to spur them on as they look to overturn the one-goal deficit.
