Frustrated Rangers take slim lead over Servette

2 years ago 68

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By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland at Ibrox

Last updated on 8 minutes ago.From the section Champions League

Rangers bounced back from domestic defeat by securing a one-goal first-leg advantage over 10-man Servette in Champions League qualifying.

Labelled a "mega game" by Michael Beale, his pumped players delivered an electric opening following the weekend defeat at Kilmarnock.

James Tavernier netted a composed penalty before Cyriel Dessers bundled in his first goal for the club in the opening 15 minutes.

The wasteful hosts could have effectively killed the tie, but the depleted Swiss visitors pulled one back out of nowhere just before the break when Dessers' handball allowed Chris Bedia to slam in a VAR-checked spot kick.

And the away side - missing several key players due to injuries, suspensions and visa issues - rode their luck before and after David Douline saw red for a second bookable offence to remain alive in the third-round qualifier.

A glaring close-range miss by Sam Lammers, just minutes before Servette were awarded their penalty, has the potential to become a major sliding-doors moment in the tie.

But had the correct final pass been played during numerous breakaway opportunities, or had Dessers and Lammers not been thwarted by superb saves by Joel Mall, there would be simply no need to revisit the Dutchman's first-half sitter.

The return leg takes place in Geneva next Tuesday (19:30 BST) in a game that will be live on BBC Scotland, the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Player of the match - Todd Cantwell

More to follow.

Line-ups

Rangers

Formation 4-3-3

1Butland
2Tavernier
6Goldson
5SouttarBooked at 57mins
31Barisic
43RaskinSubstituted forWrightat 89'minutes
8JackSubstituted forCifuentesat 77'minutes
13CantwellBooked at 50mins
14LammersSubstituted forDowellat 78'minutes
9DessersSubstituted forHagiat 89'minutes
99Pereira da SilvaSubstituted forSimaat 66'minutes

Substitutes

4Lundstram
7Hagi
15Cifuentes
19Sima
20Dowell
21Sterling
23Wright
27Balogun
28McCrorie
32Wright
38King
44Devine

Servette

Formation 4-4-2

1Mall
33Vouilloz
4RouillerSubstituted forBaronat 90+4'minutes
19Severin
18Mazikou
21Guillemenot
8Cognat
28DoulineBooked at 59mins
17Kutesa
11FofanaSubstituted forDibaat 64'minutes
29BediaSubstituted forRodelinat 79'minutes

Substitutes

6Baron
7Pflücke
12Kaloga
23Rodelin
26Henchoz
30Diba
31Ouattara
40Aubert
44Besson
45Touati
68Onguéné

Live Text

Match ends, Rangers 2, Servette 1.
Second Half ends, Rangers 2, Servette 1.
Offside, Rangers. John Souttar tries a through ball, but Abdallah Sima is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Abdallah Sima (Rangers) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Borna Barisic with a cross.
Attempt missed. Ronny Rodelin (Servette) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Corner, Servette. Conceded by José Cifuentes.
Foul by José Cifuentes (Rangers).
Ronny Rodelin (Servette) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Kieran Dowell (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ianis Hagi.
Substitution, Servette. Anthony Baron replaces Steve Rouiller because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Abdallah Sima (Rangers).
Delay in match because of an injury Steve Rouiller (Servette).
Attempt missed. Abdallah Sima (Rangers) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Substitution, Rangers. Scott Wright replaces Nicolas Raskin.
Substitution, Rangers. Ianis Hagi replaces Cyriel Dessers.
Hand ball by Abdallah Sima (Rangers).
Attempt blocked. Dereck Kutesa (Servette) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Foul by John Souttar (Rangers).
Samba Diba (Servette) wins a free kick in the defensive half.