BAD CASE OF DEJA BLUE
Ibrox men fail to hold on to two-goal lead again as Portuguese battle back for draw
THIS was a most unwelcome form of deja vu for Steven Gerrard. Just as t hey had done earlier this month, his side spurned a two-goal lead against Benfica to suffer Europa League frustration.
Rangers had one foot in the l ast 32 when Kemar Roofe’s brilliant strike on 69 minutes seemingly quelled the threat of the Lisbon giants.
We should have known better. With a full complement of 11 men this time, they set about keeping Group D in a state of flux.
An own goal from James Tavernier and an effort from substitute Pizzi — in the 78th and 81st minutes — rapidly altered what had seemed destined to be a textbook European display by Gerrard’s men.
Again, Benfica proved stubbornly resistant to joining Porto and Braga on the list of Portuguese scalps acquired by the Ibrox manager.
Rangers r emain i n a good position for progression. A home win over Standard Liege next week will do the trick but that doesn’t quell the feeling of an almighty opportunity lost.
With t he Belgians beating Lech Poznan, Rangers would al r eady have been t hrough had they held tight.
It was all the sorer for these being the first goals conceded at Ibrox since Galatasaray claimed a consolation in the play-off round. A ten-game home winning streak has come to end, albeit Gerrard’s side are now 22 games unbeaten across all competitions.
Ahead through Scott Arfield’s seventh-minute effort, Rangers had defended with all the tactical discipline demanded of them. While Benfica had a few chances, Allan McGregor was far from overworked on the night he equalled Barry Ferguson’s club record of 82 European appearances.
As it was, the veteran goalkeeper was left exposed by those around him as Rangers suddenly wilted. A pair of draws against Benfica could never be counted as bad results but Gerrard will nurse real disappointment at the lessons of the 3-3 draw in Lisbon not being learned.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus had refused to lament the absence of eight players through i njury, suspension and coronavirus issues, expressing faith in those promoted. You could see why when the line-up was confirmed.
Full internationals for Germany,
Switzerland and Brazil started in advanced areas. The latter two of those — Seferovic and Everton — were among who had also started the previous meeting.
After spending close to £80million during the summer, Benfica feel they have the depth to go all the way in this competition.
They opened with a relentless press. All the early touches for Rangers were hurried. Quick clearances high into the air led to a fractured opening played mostly in their own half. But the first time Gerrard’s men managed to be precise and brave in their passing, they scored.
You had to trace the move back to Steven Davis. The Northern Ireland veteran had faith i n Arfield’s control by spearing the ball to his feet inside the centre- circle. At first it looked as though Arfield had under-hit his pass wide right to Ryan Kent but the winger rode the challenge f rom Alejandro Grimaldo and spun into space.
Now Benfica looked stretched. Kent’s cross found no takers in the middle and Borna Barisic was initially blocked when he tried to reload from the left. A quick onetwo with Alfredo Morelos gave the Croatian a second bite and this one wasn’t wasted.
Roofe’s header off the excellent delivery was spectacularly saved by Helton Leite — making his European debut for the visitors — before Tavernier nodded against the bar from close range. Arfield was determined Rangers would get their reward. Seizing on the second rebound, he fired a shot into the ground and through the legs of centre-back Jardel to find the net. Third time lucky.
Seven minutes gone and the Ibrox side were in front. As they discovered in the Estadio da Luz, however, maintaining that lead would be the tricky bit.
Benfica swiftly sought to push back. An i ncisive raid down the l eft l ed to a cutback f or Everton. McGregor was relieved when the Brazilian leaned back and sent his strike from 15 yards over the bar.
Seferovic then couldn’t get over a header in a central position as Rangers briefly wobbled.
Stability was soon restored through the tactical framework that has served them so well in
Europe. Whilee Benfica domi-nated stretches off possession, only one further chance was given up before the break.
It arrived in the f i nal minute off the opening period.d. Rafa Sil va s punun a way from Leon Balogun to breakak into the area but thehe Nigeria defender recovered to block the shot behind for a corner.
Rangers survived again three minutes after the restart. This time, Benfica burrowed down the right to set up Luca Waldschmidt for a drive wide. The German really should have tested McGregor.
It proved his last real action as Jesus moved first with substitutions, replacing Waldschmidt and Chiquinho with Diogo Goncalves and Pizzi.
Gerrard’s side were nicking the ball in threatening areas, seeking ththe second moment oof i ncision that cc ould s e al it. RRoofe hollered f or a penalty when his cross deflected off tt h e arm of JJan Vertonghen. RRomanian referee RaRadu Petrescu was unmunmoved. RoofRoofe’s f rustration didn’t lalast long. In the 69th minute,it he provided an outstanding finish to a Rangers move full of poise and elan. Kent swept the ball wide left to Barisic who touched it inside to Glen Kamara. The Finn returned the favour with a lovely back-heel that gave Barisic space to pass inside. Kent had moved away to let it f i nd Roofe. The £ 3.5 million signing from Anderlecht shifted it onto his right foot and added another to his growing collection of memorable goals by hammering into the top corner of the net.
That should have been that. But it wasn’t. Rangers couldn’t clear their lines and Seferovic stuck a drive that went in off Tavernier.
Morelos sought to restore the two-goal lead with a powerful thump that Leite pushed onto the bar but within 60 seconds Benfica were level.
Pizzi was unerring when given the chance to f i re high past McGregor and Rangers were left with work still to do.
RANGERS (4-3-2-1): McGregor 6; Tavernier 6, Goldson 6, Balogun 6, Barisic 7; Arfield 7, Davis 7, Kamara 8; Roofe 8, Kent 7; Morelos 7.
Subs not used: McLaughlin, Bassey, Helander, Hagi, Itten, Barker, Stewart, Barjonas, Dickson, King. Booked: Kamara. BENFICA (4-4-2): Helton 6; Gilberto 6 (Ramos 69), Jardel 6, Vertonghen 6, Grimaldo 6; Rafa 7, Chiquinho 6 (Pizzi 56), Gabriel 6, Everton 7; Waldschmit 6 (Diogo Concalves 56), Seferovic 7 (Ferreira 90).
Subs not used: Odysseas, Svilar, Ferro, Tiago Araújo, Pizzi, Paulo Bernardo, Cervi. Booked: Gabriel, Chiquinho, Vertonghen.
Man of the match: Glen Kamara. Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania).