Europa League 2019/20: Bayer Leverkusen vs Rangers – tactical analysis

In the strange world that we are currently living in we had a 2019/20 Europa League round of 16 match taking place over a month after the completion of the 2019/20 Bundesliga and after the first game week of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season. Mind-boggling stuff. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting reactions from football leagues around the world, we are in a unique and bizarre situation where the majority of the Europa League and UEFA Champions League matches are being played at the end of the domestic campaign – or at the beginning of a new one in Rangers’ case. Before the break Rangers hosted Bayer Leverkusen at Ibrox with the German outfit winning the tie 3-1, giving them a strong away win to defend back in their homeland. Steven Gerrard’s men had it all to do, with Rangers having to score a minimum of three goals without reply to progress. Ultimately Rangers were outplayed on Thursday night, with Peter Bosz’s side dominating possession throughout and not giving the opposition the slightest chance of getting back into the tie.

In this tactical analysis, I will produce an in-depth analysis of the tactics employed by both Gerrard and Bosz and provide a tactical insight into some of the key tactical elements of the match.

Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Lukáš Hrádecký between the sticks and behind a back four of twins Lars and Sven Bender, Edmond Tapsoba and Daley Sinkgraven. A double pivot consisting of Charles Aránguiz and Exequiel Palacios allowed the attacking influence of an attacking three of Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby, with talisman Kevin Volland leading the line.

Gerrard set his Rangers side up in a 4-3-2-1. Veteran Allan McGregor started in goal with captain James Taverner and Borna Barišić as full-backs flanking Connor Goldson and Filip Helander as the team’s centre-backs. Ryan Jack occupied the number six position with Joe Aribo and Steven Davis either side as the number eights. Ryan Kent and Brandon Barker lined up behind, Lille linked, Alfredo Morelos.

Both sides had a few injury problems coming into the match with Bosz missing Nadiem Amiri, Paulinho, Kerem Demirbay and attacking full-back Mitchell Weiser. Gerrard was unable to select Jermaine Defoe, Glen Kamara, or Nikola Katić in his matchday squad. Romanian Ianis Hagi was named on the substitute bench.

Bayer Leverkusen dictated play, both in and out of possession

It was always going to be tough for Rangers but when an opposition team dictates the game as well as Leverkusen did, sometimes you must hold your hands up and admit they were the better team on the day. A key aspect was the ability to pull the Rangers players out of their defensive structure to create gaps in between the lines.  We can see a great example of this early in the match below.