2021-22 UEFA Europa League: Knockout Play-Offs – Borussia Dortmund vs Rangers

Borussia Dortmund welcome Rangers to Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of their knockout Play-Off tie in 2021-22 Europa League. 

Borussia Dortmund have dropped down into this competition after finishing third in Group C of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Rangers meanwhile qualified for this stage after finishing second in Group A behind Lyon who consequently secured a free pass to the Round of 16.

 

Team News

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Erling Haaland is unlikely to be risked for Borussia Dortmund as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.

Thomas Meunier (muscle), Marius Wolf (knock) and Giovanni Reyna (illness) are all doubts.

Mateu Morey and Marcel Schmelzer both remain ruled out with knee injuries.

Rangers have no fresh injury concerns to report as Ryan Jack (ankle), Nnamdi Ofoborh (illness) and Ianis Hagi (knee) remain absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Borussia Dortmund have won just one of eight previous meetings against Rangers in all UEFA competitions (W1, D4, L3).
• Rangers are winless in four visits to Borussia Dortmund (D3, L1).
• Two of the three draws between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers in Germany have finished goalless.
• Three of Borussia Dortmund’s seven home goals in UEFA competitions this season were scored by Marco Reus, of which two of his goals came from the penalty spot.
• Rangers have kept just one clean sheet in five European away matches this season in all UEFA competitions, drawing 0-0 at Alashkert in August 2021 (D3, L2)

 

Prediction

Since returning from the festive break, defending hasn’t been Dortmund’s finest aspect of their play with 12 goals conceded in five of their last six matches, yet they come into this game off the back of a clinical 3-0 win over Union Berlin so confidence will be high despite a leaky defence.

Rangers meanwhile were relentlessly dominant in their clinical Scottish Cup win at Annan Athletic despite wasting several shots, which needs cutting out if they’re to keep the tie alive for the return leg because Dortmund has the better quality to finish the tie off here.

Goals therefore surely have to be a decent bet if both teams decide to go for all-out attack, yet if Rangers can adopt a counter-attack style with stubborn defending, I can see them potentially springing a surprise or at least forcing a draw but an away goal is important at minimum.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Rangers

Result: Borussia Dortmund 2-4 Rangers