Bundesliga News

Europe: Europa League
FT
2 - 4
(0 - 2)
Dortmund
Rangers
J. Bellingham (51), D. Zagadou (54), R. Guerreiro (82)
J. Tavernier (38), A. Morelos (41), J. Lundstram (49)

Rangers blow Dortmund away in shock 2-4 win

By Ultan Corcoran   @UltanCorcoran

Dortmund have now left themselves a mountain to climb when they travel to Glasgow next week for the 2nd Leg.
Marco Rose.
Marco Rose.
Borussia Dortmund got their bid to reach the Europa League quarter-finals underway tonight against Glasgow Rangers of Scotland. Dortmund was without Haaland once more this evening, however their weekend performance and victory over Union Berlin would give them confidence before facing the Scottish champions.


Rangers had the first good opportunity of the game on ten minutes. Winger, Ryan Kent, and full-back Barisic combined brilliantly down the left wing, playing the latter in on goal from an acute angle. Fortunately, Kobel was alert to the danger and made a strong save which resulted in a corner.

Despite Dortmund controlling more of the possession and carving out a few decent opportunities which badly lacked a finishing touch from the likes of Zagadou, Reus, and Malen, Rangers seemed to be confident in their approach and assured with the ball. Rangers were then awarded a penalty 8 minutes before the half time break thanks to a VAR intervention spotting a Zagadou handball. Blues captain Tavernier stepped up and sent Kobel the wrong way to make it 0-1 from the spot - a very composed finish at that too.

A one goal lead soon became 0-2 moments later when a Rangers corner was flicked on by Aribo to the back post. To the delight of Rangers manager, van Bronkhorst, Alfredo Morelos was left with a routine tap in from mere centimetres out. Marco Rose was visibly frustrated at his team’s performance slamming a water bottle in disgust.

Dortmund made two changes at the break, teenager Moukoko came on for Brandt, while Gio Reyna, son of former Rangers’ player Claudio Reyna, replaced Axel Witsel. This did little to stop Rangers’ flow however, as Kent jinked his way down the left wing again to find midfielder Jack who made it 0-3 from range minutes into the 2nd half.

Luckily for the home side, Jude Bellingham grabbed a lifeline immediately after the restart when Guerreiro found the young Englishman who did brilliantly to find the net. In a game as crazy as this one however, Rangers responded almost instantly making it 1-4 – this time Morelos, whose shot found the net with a good deal of help from the unfortunate Zagadou once more.


Dortmund did pull another goal back with under 10 minutes to go before full time. Raphael Guerreiro the man behind the strike, and what a beauty it was too as he cut in on his favoured left foot from the right flank to blast a dipping shot past the rooted McGregor for 2-4.

Dortmund couldn’t cut the deficit anymore before the final whistle sounded. Overall, and extremely disappointing night for Rose and his charges who will need a convincing win in the return leg at Ibrox Thursday week to have any hope of progressing.



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