RB Leipzig welcome Rangers to Red Bull Arena in the first leg of their semi-final tie in 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.
RB Leipzig qualified for this semi-final with a 3-1 aggregate win over Atalanta in the Quarter-Finals, whilst Rangers came from behind to defeat Braga 3-2 on aggregate to advance to this stage.
Team News
Lukas Klostermann is a doubt for RB Leipzig as he continues to near a return following a positive test for Coronavirus.
Amadou Haidara (knee), Kevin Kampl, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan (all suspension) are ruled out.
Rangers will be without Kemar Roofe as he continues to recover from a knee injury suffered against Celtic earlier this month.
Alfredo Morelos (thigh), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Filip Helander (foot) and Nnamdi Ofoborh (illness) remain absent.
Cedric Itten meanwhile isn’t in the squad despite being match fit amidst the Gers’ striker shortage.
Stat Attack
- This is RB Leipzig’s first-ever meeting against Rangers in all UEFA competitions.
- Rangers are visiting RB Leipzig for the very first time across all UEFA competitions.
- RB Leipzig have won their only previous home meeting against Scottish opposition, in which they defeated Celtic 2-0 in October 2018 in this very competition in the Group Stage.
- Three of Christopher Nkunku’s 10 European goals for RB Leipzig this season have been scored at home.
- Rangers have won just one of their last five away trips against German opposition (W1, D1, L3).
Prediction
Having enjoyed a strong unbeaten run since mid-February, RB Leipzig suffered a surprise late Bundesliga defeat at home to Union Berlin on Saturday so I am expecting a strong reaction here, especially given the attacking talent plus they’ve failed to score just once in 2022.
Rangers meanwhile face a tactical challenge up front in their central striker role with Morelos and Roofe both absent, yet this is a huge opportunity for Fashion Sakala to step up and show what he can do but it is a shame that Itten isn’t in the squad as a substitute at minimum.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Gers though do have great team spirit and fearless attacking ability when playing as underdogs, which has played a crucial role throughout the knockout stages so I do expect them to try and make this as difficult as possible despite their poor form in Germany.
I though am struggling to see RB Leipzig not winning this given the attacking threats within their squad compared to Rangers, although if the visitors nail their tactics then anything could happen.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-0 Rangers
Result: RB Leipzig 1-0 Rangers