Rangers faced a reality check under the Ibrox lights as Lyon handed us a 4-1 defeat in the Europa League. This wasn’t just any loss; it exposed the gaps we’ve all been worried about, especially down the right-hand side. For those of us hoping for a better result, it was tough to watch as the match slipped away. But let’s dig into what went wrong and whether things could have played out differently.
Early Glimmers of Hope
Before we even had time to settle into our seats, Rangers came out firing. James Tavernier nearly gave us an early lead after just three minutes, but Lyon’s keeper Lucas Perri pulled off a fantastic save. It looked like we were ready to take the game to them, and the Broomloan Stand was in full voice. Tom Lawrence got us back level on 14 minutes with a well-taken goal, giving us all a sense that maybe, just maybe, this would be one of those magical European nights.
But we were also left wondering, even before kick-off, about the elephant in the room: Lyon’s strength on the left and our potential weakness on the right. Unfortunately, our worst fears were realized as the game wore on.
Lyon’s Left Flank Causes Chaos
Lyon’s Malick Fofana caused us trouble from the first whistle, and Tavernier, as much as we recognise is achievements for the club, was repeatedly exposed. His pace and defensive positioning were put under pressure, and the French side capitalised. Fofana’s early goal, a beautifully curled shot into the far corner, set the tone for a long night. It was frustrating because Tavernier’s attacking threat is undeniable, but when it came to tracking back and containing Lyon’s wide men, he struggled.
Fofana wasn’t the only one causing havoc either. Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon’s captain, showed his quality with two goals, including a stunning strike just before half-time. It was a reminder of the level Rangers are trying to compete at, and we were left chasing shadows at times.
Missed Chances and What-Ifs
One moment that will stay with us for a while was Vaclav Cerny’s missed opportunity. It was a chance to put us ahead, but instead, he fired over the bar from close range with the goal gaping. These are the fine margins in Europe, and it felt like that miss sucked the momentum out of us. Cerny’s form has been patchy, and this match won’t do him any favours. His frustration showed, and as fans, we can only hope he regains the composure and confidence we’ve seen flashes of.
Rangers were punished for our mistakes. A blind pass from Connor Barron handed Lyon their second goal, and from then on, it was an uphill battle. The scoreline, 4-1, suggests we were miles off Lyon, and while they deserved the win, we know Rangers at their best could’ve given them a much harder time. The right side of our defence was left vulnerable, and it’s something that should have been addressed before kick-off.
Lessons to Learn
There’s no sugarcoating it; this was a tough night for Rangers. Lyon showed their quality, and we came up short. But as fans, we know that this team is capable of more. We’ve seen it before, and we’ll see it again. The 4-1 defeat stings, but it also highlights areas where we can improve. Tavernier’s defensive vulnerabilities and Cerny’s lack of clinical finishing are talking points, but this isn’t the end of our European journey.
As I watched the game from a Rangers supporters club in New York (more on that in a separate post), I couldn’t help but feel that with a bit more tactical awareness and defensive discipline, this match could have played out very differently. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the whole story—there were chances, and if we had taken them, it could’ve been a different night.
Let’s regroup, address the issues, and come back stronger. There’s still plenty to fight for in the Europa League, and I believe we’ll see better days ahead. But for now, we need to learn from nights like this and ensure we don’t make the same mistakes again.