Rangers news: Van Bronckhorst explains secret to Dortmund win on famous European night | Football | Sport
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has explained that homework was the secret to his side’s success following a memorable European night for the Glasgow side. Rangers beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Germany. The hosts struck late to reduce the deficit but the Gers will still be confident heading into the second leg at Ibrox.
Goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and John Lundstram put Rangers in dreamland after 49 minutes.
Jude Bellingham almost immediately pulled one back for Dortmund before Dan-Axel Zagadou netted an own goal to once again extend the advantage to three.
Raphael Guerreiro’s late strike will give Dortmund hope but their leaky defence was once again shown up.
Van Bronckhorst has revealed he showed his players multiple clips of how Dortmund have defended of late.
JUST IN: Ronaldo pushing for Man Utd to axe Harry Maguire as captain amid power struggle
“We can play possession game, we can play physical if needed.
“I said to my players to recognise the moments in games what’s needed. High press or come together as a good block.
“But I’m proud of the performance today of my players and we’re looking forward to next week.
“We’re halfway but it’s a result we are more than happy to take with us.”
It wasn’t the only time in the interview that the Dutchman pointed out Dortmund’s weakness at the back.
He added: “We saw in the last [few] weeks they’ve let a lot of goals against them, so we knew when we had the right moments we can press them a little bit higher up and don’t give them an easy build-up.
“I think we achieved that and we were also strong on the set-pieces.
“I think we were also very calm on the ball and we were in control.
“Of course in the second half they will push you back because they are a quality team with quality players, with the subs they brought on, but as I said to score four away goals in Europe is really good.”
Meanwhile, Tavernier was disappointed to concede two goals on the night but admitted his side were in control for the majority of the game.
“Really happy with the result,” Tavernier told BT Sport.
“We know it’s only halfway there, so we can take the positives out of tonight.
“Obviously a little bit disappointed to concede the two goals because we put ourselves in a really good position.
“But overall I thought we controlled the best we can, limited their chances, and I thought we were effective on the break and we got the goals. So really happy.
“I thought all the boys performed really well. The boys that came on but the starting lads did really well to give us the platform we needed.
“I didn’t see the penalty, the handball, but that’s the benefit of having VAR.
“Then it’s another set-piece as well, we’ve been working hard on them and it came through today. So it’s put us in a good position.”
Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here
