By Fraser Martin in Malmӧ
Rangers kicked off this year’s EL campaign with a near perfect away European performance. Rarely threatened but always threatening, the Light Blues dominated the Swedish champions and recorded a first victory over Swedish opposition in European competition.
Earlier storm clouds had gathered over preparations, as issues with Hamza Igamane’s passport prevented him from travelling, ensuring a long shift was required from our very own Nigerian nightmare up front. And it was within 60 seconds that Dessers assisted a glorious opener, as Gers silenced the vociferous home crowd with a delightfully crafted goal. Harrying from Černŷ on the Rangers right forced a panicked back pass, intercepted and controlled beautifully by the Rangers #9, who then slashed a shot past the keeper, only to see it rebound off the base of the post and into the path of euro debutant Bajrami, who slotted home with alacrity.
The air sucked out the stadium as blue sky emerged above, and Rangers dominated all over the pitch. Compact and disciplined, in a tight 442 out of possession, and always dangerous going forward the visitors stamped authority on every area of the pitch.
With a defensive solidity founded on the excellent Robin Prӧpper and debutant Kas oozing class and confidence, Jack Butland was only called into action to restart play after a egregiously offside shot from a Malmӧ freekick on 17 minutes.
Rangers, enjoying controlled possession, creating delightful angles with occasional rondo style one touch play, carved Malmӧ open in the 26th minute, with the Albanian powering a drive from 20 yards that was held by keeper Dahlin at the second attempt. Rangers were finding gaps at will, with Malmӧ showing little fluidity and weak passing, mainly down to an impressive 4 versus 7 press, executed perfectly by the Rangers attack.
On 40 minutes it should have been 2, Černŷ beating the offside trap and clean through one-on-one. A hashed shot, sclaffed well wide was a major let of for Malmӧ . The last action of the half saw an excellent break from Dessers, again setting up Bajrami, who, inexplicably, played a wall pass back to the surrounded striker, the ball trundling out for a goal kick.
The second half began with Malmӧ clearly having received a rocket at half time. Now finding angles, patterns and possession play more in keeping with their league form, the home team camped in the Rangers half for the first time. A header drifted wide from a free kick cross on 50 minutes, followed by a double block from Černŷ , whose defensive workrate was, sadly, not matched with attacking composure. Seven minutes later a second glaring Tavernier error of the evening allowed a cross across the Rangers penalty area, but no attackers were present to take advantage. Tav had looked assured and confident against his opposite man, but occasionally had to rely on Mo Diomande to cover his frailties. That being said, Butland had little to concern him with John Souttar picking up the defensive colossus mantle from Prӧpper, his body on the line blocks and dominant organising coming to the fore.
With Černŷ removed on 67 minutes for Ulsterman McCausland, the feeling of a storm very much weathered permeated the away support. Almost immediately, Tom Lawrence, a constant thorn in the side of the home defence, finding spaces and picking passes with vision and strength all night, played a delightful through pass that just missed Dessers run.
Nedim Barjami was, by this time, thoroughly enjoying his night, winning free kicks, relieving pressure and making a firm case as a permanent left winger.
It was from the right wing, however, that the tie was sealed, our very own boy from the band cutting in on the corner of the penalty area, beating a man and toe poking, Dave Narey style, into the net, off the near side post. Cue bedlam in the bears.
Rangers almost added a third straight from kick off with Lawrence firing wide following slack Malmӧ passing.
Barjami still had 2 more contributions to make, winning yet another foul on 79 minutes before teeing up Kas for a skied shot shortly after. Manager Clement signalled a shutting of the shop, withdrawing the impressive new signing and bringing on defensive solidity in the imposing shape of Dujon Sterling. Malmӧ manager, Rydstrӧm responding with his final gamble, putting 2 up top.
The game was closed out in impressive style as Rangers showed a maturity reminiscent of the best of our midweek play under both Gerrard and Gio. Butland unperturbed, the ball played into corners.
Summing up after the game, manager Clement was full of praise for an excellent performance, ‘the best of the season’ and certainly a contender for the best football played in his tenure. Singling out Ross McCausland, who was praised for his work on developing both feet over months in training, the manager signed off with a promise of more to come as the players he has brought in begin to make their mark on a squad in dire need of refresh and belief.
