Nigel Spackman has told the Daily Record that Rangers duo Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos must ‘exploit’ Dan-Axel Zagadou for a result at Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst takes the Gers to the Westfalenstadion on Thursday for the first-leg of their knockout stage meeting. The Scottish and German giants have met eight times before, with BVB victorious in their most recent encounter on penalties in December 1999.
The UEFA Cup third-round meeting marks the only time that Borussia Dortmund have so far beaten Rangers across all competitions. They have also drawn four times, while the Ibrox natives have three wins. Only two meetings have ended with less than two goals, too.
Spackman believes Rangers have a chance against Borussia Dortmund
Spackman believes Rangers will have chances to continue their trend at Borussia Dortmund when they meet this week. The former Ibrox midfielder notes how Marco Rose’s side have often struggled to produce a robust defensive record in the Bundesliga so far this season.
He also feels Zagadou can offer in-form duo Kent and Morelos chances to give BVB issues in the Europa League. The 22-year-old centre-back has opened Dortmund’s last two league fixtures in a makeshift backline with Thomas Meunier continuing his recovery from injury.
“Rangers always stand a chance,” Spackman stated. “Dortmund concede goals. They play with a back four and they’ve conceded 36 goals in 22 [Bundesliga] games.
“They can switch off when you hit them on the counter. The central defender, Zagadou, is one of those players who can be brilliant and then out of nowhere, he makes a mistake.
“If the full-backs push on like they normally do, then Rangers can try and exploit them in those areas with Ryan Kent’s pace and Alfredo Morelos’ form.”
Kent and Morelos will look to continue fine form at the Westfalenstadion
Borussia Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga standings ahead of hosting Rangers in the Europa League knockout round. They have also scored 57 goals over 22 German top-flight fixtures so far this season – only Bayern Munich (70) and Bayer Leverkusen (58) have more.
Yet BVB’s leaky backline will offer Van Bronckhorst hope of the Gers taking a result in North Rhine-Westphalia. Their 3-0 win at Union Berlin on Sunday was their second clean sheet in their last 12 league fixtures. They also allowed 11 in the Champions League group stage.
Kent, meanwhile, has two goals and 11 assists so far this season in all competitions. He has also provided five assists in his last five Premiership games. As for Morelos, the 25-year-old has scored 16 goals and has six assists in all competitions over 32 appearances thus far.
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