Rangers vs Dortmund Europa League knockout round play-off second leg preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, squad changes
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Article summary
When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off decider between Rangers and Dortmund.
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Rangers and Dortmund meet in the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off second leg on Thursday 24 February.
Rangers vs Dortmund at a glance
When: Thursday 24 February (21:00 CET kick-off)
Where: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
What: UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off (Rangers won first leg 4-2)
Winners: Advance to UEFA Europa League round of 16; losers exit Europe
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage will appear here
Where to watch Dortmund vs Rangers on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.
What happened in the first leg?
Rangers went to Germany as underdogs but travelled home with one foot in the round of 16. It was a stunning display from Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side, who took charge of the first leg through goals from James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos in the lead-up to half-time. John Lundstram added a third after the break and though Jude Bellingham soon pulled one back, it was 4-1 after Dan-Axel Zagadou turned into his own net. Raphaël Guerreiro's fine late finish gives Dortmund a foothold.
Possible line-ups
Rangers: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Balogun; Jack, Lundstram; Arfield, Aribo, Kent; Morelos
Dortmund: Kobel; Can, Hummels, Pongračić, Guerreiro; Dahoud, Bellingham, Brandt, Reus, Hazard; Malen
What are the knockout round play-offs?
The UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs have been introduced for the first time this season. There are 16 teams involved: the eight runners-up from the UEFA Europa League group stage and the eight third-placed teams from the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The eight winners advance to the round of 16 draw on Friday 25 February (the eight group winners have already qualified for this); the eight play-off losers will no longer be involved in 2021/22 European competition.
Form guide
Rangers
Last six games (all competitions, most recent first): DWWWWL
Where they stand: 2nd in Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup quarter-finals
Dortmund
Last six games: WLWLWL
Where they stand: 2nd in Bundesliga
Expert predictions
Alex O'Henley, Rangers reporter
Much will depend on what Dortmund side shows up. If it's the fragile team that performed so feebly in the first leg, Rangers will fancy their chances of scoring a few more goals backed by a vociferous home crowd. On the other hand, if Marco Rose's side can replicate the attacking verve they showed in Sunday's 6-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladcah, it could be game on.
What the coaches say
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Rangers manager: "With the backing of our fans tomorrow, we want another beautiful European night at Ibrox as we aim to get into the next round. We had a great performance last week and we know it is only halfway. [In the first leg] we played to our strengths and pressed in the right moments. Our focus is to play as strong as possible and aim to win the match.To begin the game and sit deep, I don't think that's in our system."
Marco Rose, Dortmund coach: "Of course, this situation is difficult. We lost with a difference of two goals. There's no away goals any more so that might be a little help. We shouldn't overthink it. We want to find the balance between attack and defence. But off the back of the first leg, of course, it's clear: we have to attack!"
Away goals rule abolished
There has been a rule change for 2021/22: ties level after the second leg will go to extra time and a penalty shoot-out if required, irrespective of the number of away goals a team has scored.
