UEFA Europa League : Rangers vs Lyons players rating as Lyon backed by a wonder goal and a bit of luck drown Rangers

The Scottish champions faced the French side Lyon at the Ibroxon what seemed like an evenly contested match.

Both the teams had their chances, but it was Rangers that started the game brightly with runs on the flanks and crosses in to the box. Lyon got in to the game slowly and against the run of play, scored via Ekambi’s screamer which was curled in to the bottom right corner from outside the box.

Despite late threats from Rangers, the first half came to an end at 1-0.The Rangers started the second half with much more intent as they looked determined to make a comeback in the game.

But, it was Lyon who made it 2-0 following a series of accidents before the ball went in via an own goal by Tavernier. Rangers persisted with their attacks but couldn’t break the astute defensive wall of Lyon as the match ended with a victory for Lyon.

Here are the player ratings:

Rangers

Ryan Kent (8/10): Kent ran the show in the opposition’s half with his smart interplays and quick feet. He was found everywhere in the final third passing and making runs forward.

Alfredo Morelos (6/10): He was picked as a target man, but was ineffective against Lyon’s centre-half partnership.

Joe Aribo (8/10): He was very active in the final third along with Ryan Kent. He often started deep by taking the possession in the mid-field and dribbled forward beating players.

Glen Kamara (6/10): Apart from a few interceptions and keeping the possession, he did not impact the game much. His passing was also off the mark.

Steven Davis (7/10): Defensively he played an important role often cleaning up the mistakes of other midfielders. His passing was tidy and distribution was exquisite.

John Lundstream (6/10): He was sloppy with his touches and gave away ball too often. He found himself in a goal scoring situation but miscued it wide.

Borna Barisic (8/10): He ran up and down the left flank like he had an extra pair of lungs. His crosses were accurate and he beat players with ease when one-on-one.

Leon Balogun (6/10): He couldn’t keep up with the pace of the opposition’s attackers. He was often stretched out of position by Lyon’s forwards.

Connor Goldson (7/10): He was solid and kept Slimani at bay for the most part of the match. He was good in the air and looked composed in possession.

James Tavernier (6/10): Tavernier couldn’t follow Ekambi as he scored the first goal. He left too much space to exploit for Ekambi who duly obliged.

Allan McGregor (7/10): He did make a couple of good saves and also had to deal with some pressure. There was nothing he could’ve done in both the goal situations.

Substitutes

Scott Wright (7/10): He was brought in for Steven Davis and did his job to the expected level. He was instrumental in the late bursts of attacks on Lyon’s goal.

Kemar Roofe (6/10): He barely got an opportunity to make an impact on the game and had to defend more as he gave up the ball too soon.

Fashion Sakala (8/10): His energy lifted the spirit of his team in the last few minutes of the match. His runs in to the box scared the opposition.

LYON

Houssem Aouar (8/10): He dictated the play with his passing and dribbling. He kept up the energy levels even in the last stretches of the game. Some of his dribbles were unstoppable.

Islam Slimani (7/10): Most of the match he went on chasing the ball and when he did get his opportunity, failed to do anything with it. But, he sort of redeemed himself as he played a part in the second goal.

Karl Ekambi (9/10): His wonder goal against the run of play was the main difference. He cut it from a step over on the right wing before curling his shot in to the bottom right corner leaving no chance for the goal keeper what-so-ever.

Maxence Caqueret (6/10): He had a below average game as he lost many balls in the starting minutes of the match. He also lost the tempo and often ran in to the opposition with his dribbles.

Lucas Paqueta (7/10): He was the creative work force behind all the attacks. His technical ability to beat players at will and keep the possession has helped his team a lot in planning attacks with him as a proxy

Bruno Guimaraes (6/10): He failed to control the middle of the park where Rangers were active. He was pressurized by the opposition in to making mistakes. Because of this the attacks shifted to the wings.

Emerson (7/10): Emerson was a cool customer as he rarely gave the ball away. He also helped the team a lot with his attacking runs on the left flank. But, he slowly faded away in the second half.

Jerome Boateng (7/10): He displayed his experience whether it might be positioning or passing. He played some crucial through balls in the middle of the park that broke oppoition’s lines.

Jason Denayer (7/10): He was solid and did not commit any mistakes which is least expected from a defender. He formed a good partnership with Jerome Boateng.

Malo Gusto (8/10): If there was Baricic for Rangers, there was Gusto for Lyon. He was relentless on the right wing and was also helped by the opposition’s lack of positioning.

Anthony Lopes (7/10): The Lyon’s goal keeper had nothing much to do as there were less number of attempts on his goal. However, he did save a free-kick which could’ve gone in.

Substitutes

Sinaly Diomande: He was subbed in for Jerome Boateng as the latter was on a yellow card. He did his part without any fuss and saw the game through without conceding a goal.

Xerdan Shaqiri: This is a European debut for him at Lyon and he made sure that his team comes home with the three points.

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