2021-22 UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals: Second Leg – Rangers vs RB Leipzig

Rangers welcome RB Leipzig to Ibrox in the second leg of their semi-final tie in 2021-22 UEFA Europa League. 

With a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, Rangers must win to stand any chance of advancing to the Final whereas RB Leipzig simply need to avoid defeat to secure their first-ever Final in any UEFA competition.

 

Team News

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Kemar Roofe is a doubt for Rangers as he nears a first team return from a knee injury which has forced him to miss their last three matches in all competitions.

Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) is also considered doubtful but Alfredo Morelos (thigh), Filip Helander (foot) and Nnamdi Ofoborh (illness) remain absent.

RB Leipzig could welcome Kevin Kampl, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan back into the squad after the trio missed the first leg through suspension.

Amadou Haidara (knee) remains absent.

 

Stat Attack

• Rangers lost their only previous meeting against RB Leipzig, losing 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final tie last week.
• RB Leipzig are visiting Rangers’ Ibrox for the very first time in all UEFA competitions.
• RB Leipzig lost their only previous away visit to Scottish opposition after a 2-1 loss at Celtic in November 2018.
• James Tavernier has scored five goals in three home matches for Rangers throughout the knockout stage (W2, D1).
• RB Leipzig have scored in all five away matches in Europe this season, netting 15 goals and conceding ten goals.

 

Prediction

Having stuck in defensively throughout the first leg amidst failure to clinically carve out chances, Rangers will be slightly disappointed to enter this tie with a single goal deficit but they can take heart from their strong home displays in the knockout stages where they have been difficult to stop when on attack.

RB Leipzig therefore will have to be wary because Rangers likely won’t turn up looking to deploy the same defensive tactics as they did last week, which could well mean the Bundesliga club having to try and adjust their tactics to nullify a more attack-minded Rangers team in front of an atmospheric home crowd.

Now if that is the case then goals surely will be a near-certainty although Rangers must look to score first to give themselves belief and chase a second goal quickly, otherwise this tie could very well escape them if RB Leipzig are at their attacking best given their dangerous forward quality.

Prediction: Rangers 1-1 RB Leipzig

Result: Rangers 3-1 RB Leipzig (Rangers win 3-2 on aggregate!!)