After watching his Rangers team destroy Hibs 4-0 the previous weekend, Philippe Clement will have a considerably better understanding of his players after yesterday night’s game.
He will now be aware that even if he didn’t inherit a world-class team, he does have a group of players that will fight, remain focused on their goals, and persevere in difficult situations. Yes, it was difficult in Prague, but they managed to come out on top with a valuable Europa League point. Had the crossbar not been so thick towards the end of the second half, it could have been three. If Michael Beale had been up to the job, Clement would not have been lurking around the touchline in the capital of the Czech Republic.
At the time, it seemed odd that Beale would just bring Borna Barisic, who has experience with injuries, and leave out Ridvan Yilmaz. It appears to be ineptitude now, and Clement was left to pick up the pieces after another man’s foolishness. Due to his lack of a left-back, the new manager had to drastically alter the team’s composition.
In an attempt to stop a maroon tide that was coming towards them, he started against Sparta with a back three consisting of John Souttar, Connor Goldson, and Ben Davies. John Lundstram, a sitting midfielder, occupied the space between the defense and a four-man midfield that included James Tavernier, Nico Raskin, Todd Cantwell, and Abdallah Sima. That left Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers in a less than ideal state of isolation up front.
Furthermore, the 3-1-4-2 shape in Letna Stadium appeared to be a team at sixes and sevens for a large portion of the game. With their team only stopped by a sensational double save from Jack Butland, the Sparta supporters were uproarious as early as the fourth minute.
The former Slovia player Sima was receiving criticism every time he touched the ball, but Rangers needed him to be involved as much as possible against a team that had won nine of their previous 11 games this season, especially after he had scored seven goals in his previous seven outings.
They controlled the first half, and Rangers’ careless turnovers of the ball didn’t assist their cause. Sparta was attempting to get down Souttar and Davies’ sides in an attempt to find some amusement since it was taking some time to adjust to the foreign shape.
The Czechs believed they had taken the lead before halftime, and they would have if Lundstram hadn’t made an incredible save to stop Martin Vitik from tapping in after Butland had beaten out a long-range effort. The Rangers second-half performance was more consistent, with Lundstram and substitute Scott Wright both having half-chances. Lammers then made Peter Vindahl Jensen make an incredible save before Danilo raised the net.
To be honest, the man with the mask would have stolen all three points. On a night that could have gone horribly wrong but finished with their dream of Europe alive and well, one point was sufficient compensation.
