The Europa League dream stays alive for Rangers - however there's a lot work to do after a slender first-leg defeat to RB Leipzig.
Robbed of a recognised striker by accidents to Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's facet produced a largely resolute show in opposition to the Bundesliga's in-form facet.
The hosts wanted a spectacular late volley from full-back Angelino to interrupt the gutsy Ibrox rearguard, giving Leipzig a slender benefit forward of a blockbuster return at Ibrox subsequent week.
The eyes of the world's media descended upon the Pink Bull Area as Rangers set as much as frustrate Domenico Tedesco's facet - and it was an method that, maybe harshly, drew blended opinions.
One outlet remarked that "just one group wished to assault", whereas one other claimed Van Bronckhorst's "extremely defensive" group will likely be required to alter their ways subsequent week.
However loads acknowledged that Rangers principally restricted a extremely harmful outfit to only a few possibilities to maintain the tie within the stability for an enormous night time in entrance of a raucous Ibrox crowd.
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It was famous that Allan McGregor had only a few saves to make over the 90 minutes - though the veteran keeper did earn a nickname he maybe will not discover too flattering.
This is a collection of response from across the soccer world.
SuperMax (Jamaica)
A surprising volley from Angelino gave RB Leipzig a 1-0 win within the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with Rangers on Thursday.
Domenico Tedesco's males had been the aggressors for a lot of the sport, however the Bundesliga facet struggled to create possibilities in opposition to a resolute Gers backline, till the previous Manchester Metropolis left-back's strike with 5 minutes remaining.
Leipzig dangerman Christopher Nkunku – who has 30 objectives and 16 assists in all competitions this season – was unable so as to add to his tally, with the guests conserving the Frenchman comparatively quiet at Pink Bull Area.
It was not fairly the well-known night time in Germany that Rangers skilled earlier within the marketing campaign once they beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2 at Sign Iduna Park, however with only a one-goal deficit, it leaves the tie open forward of the second leg at Ibrox subsequent week.
The Guardian (London)
A surprising late winner from Angelino was a sickener ... however not *too* a lot of 1. Rangers are nonetheless nicely on this tie and the second leg subsequent week is ready as much as be a belter!
A end result, then, that each side will discover cause to be inspired by. Rangers did open up extra within the second half – Kent’s cross-shot was their greatest second – however a below-par Leipzig created extra too and Nkunku missed a few large possibilities, one a fairly superb sitter. So the end result was truthful however, with a bit extra attacking thrust at Ibrox, there’s no cause this can't be reversed. It’s nonetheless on.
Nau.ch (Germany)
"I've scored higher objectives," mentioned Angelino dryly.
However maybe the volley from 20 meters that led to the 1-0 first-leg win within the Europa League semi-finals in opposition to Glasgow Rangers is without doubt one of the extra essential objectives within the 25-year-old's profession. That places Leipzig only a step forward of the second leg in per week's time on the legendary Ibrox Stadium .
That may solely do the sport good. As a result of in entrance of their very own followers, the Scottish champions can't construct up 90 minutes round their very own penalty space in the event that they wish to attain the ultimate in Seville on Could 18th.
L'Equipe (France)
Lengthy blocked by a stable formation of Rangers, RB Leipzig ended up successful and taking a small choice for the Seville ultimate.
With a masterful volley together with his left foot within the eighty fifth minute, Angelino put the German group in entrance earlier than the return which guarantees to be boiling in Scotland.
Leipzig had total management of the ball and the sport in opposition to a close-knit Scots who had clearly come to Germany to play the draw and the counters.
Consequence: not a shot on track on the break, the primary having taken place within the 53rd minute on an try by … Nkunku, all the time him.
The tricolor worldwide then missed an enormous alternative, alone in entrance of objective, when he had erased Lundstram and dribbled previous the goalkeeper.
It was lastly Angelino who unblocked the scenario 5 minutes from the tip. The Spaniard was on the receiving finish of a cleared ball from a nook and he despatched a shot from the left in a half-volley which got here to lodge within the small internet.
Kicker (Germany)
Due to Angelino's stunning volley, RB Leipzig has a very good likelihood of reaching the Europa League ultimate. Domenico Tedesco would have most well-liked Rangers to be a bit extra attacking within the first leg.
It was clear to Domenico Tedesco that the Glasgow Rangers wouldn't play for possession at RB Leipzig.
Nevertheless, Leipzig was a bit of stunned that Giovanni van Bronckhorst set his group up as defensively as he did, specifically with a 5-3-2 that was deep in his personal half. "It is brutal," was Tedesco's lips to learn within the first half, his group simply could not discover a hole within the Scots' defence.
RB is now taking the 1-0 to Ibrox Stadium.
Tedesco doesn't assume that the Rangers will initially change their orientation there: "Perhaps not from the start. However in some unspecified time in the future they've to come back," mentioned the 36-year-old, who with RB is just one step from the second ultimate on this one season is eliminated.
To be able to make the ultimate in Seville excellent, Leipzig should "play very cleverly" in Glasgow in keeping with keeper Gulacsi. The backdrop at Ibrox Stadium has helped Rangers many instances this season, with round 7,000 visitor followers in Leipzig already on the stadium.
"There are higher moods, I will be trustworthy," Tedesco was not likely impressed by the general assist within the Pink Bull Area.
Marca (Spain)
Leipzig takes a primary step in direction of the Europa League ultimate. In a detailed recreation, with just one group intent on attacking, Angeliño discovered a gap to sneak in to shatter the resistance of an ultra-defensive Rangers.
The Scots are betting all the things on the second leg, and maybe there, with a extra attacking Rangers, Leipzig will discover the sport they desperately looked for in the present day.
Bild (Germany)
For a very long time it seems to be like a 0:0. As a result of Leipzig famous person Christopher Nkunku misses an enormous alternative. Within the seventieth minute, the Frenchman rounded Glasgow's gray goalkeeper grandpa McGregor (40), however hit the ball broad of the nook (70'). Matches the striker's present dropping streak: he hasn't hit a objective for over 300 minutes. Earlier than that, he scored 30 objectives in 3501 minutes, which means he scored each 117 minutes.
RB boss Oliver Mintzlaff (46) after the sport on RTLplus: "We would not be right here with out Christopher. He is having a implausible season for us, is a world-class participant. I will forgive him for not doing one thing like that."
Glasgow, who threw out Borussia Dortmund 4-2 and 2-2 within the playoffs in February, was a lot too innocent up entrance. Nearly 5,000 followers within the stands shout their Rangers ahead. Solely 2,400 tickets had been formally given to the friends. There are even 7,500 followers within the metropolis. Amongst them are round 500 Hamburger SV followers who're celebrating due to a fan friendship.