Rangers suffered a ‘very harsh’ defeat against Lyon as manager Philippe Clement lamented the ‘missed chances’ that could have changed the course of the game at Ibrox. In a 4-1 loss to Lyon in the Europa League, Clement highlighted two crucial missed opportunities early in the match that could have ignited the crowd and set a different tone for the team.
Rangers’ skipper James Tavernier and Vaclav Cerny failed to convert good chances to take the lead before 19-year-old Malick Fofana of Lyon opened the scoring from 12 yards after 10 minutes. Despite midfielder Tom Lawrence levelling the score in the 14th minute, Lyon’s captain Alexandre Lacazette netted two goals before halftime, giving the French side a comfortable lead. Fofana then added a second goal in the 55th minute to further solidify Lyon’s victory.
Clement expressed his disappointment over the early missed opportunities, stating, “To put fire in the stands, to have an amazing European evening, when you have two 100 per cent chances, the first two chances of the game, you need to kill them off to get a special European night.”
The manager also acknowledged Lawrence’s injury, a hamstring issue that forced him off at halftime, likely sidelining him for the upcoming Premiership game against St Johnstone. Despite praising his team’s efforts and quality in creating chances, Clement emphasised the importance of converting opportunities, especially against high-quality opponents like Lyon.
Reflecting on the match, Clement analysed the defensive lapses that led to Lyon’s goals, stressing the need for better ball retention and defensive solidity against top-class opponents. He noted the disparity in converting chances as a key factor in the outcome, calling it a significant area for improvement for the team.
In response to tactical changes during the game, including substituting Tavernier with Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Clement justified the decision by highlighting the need to manage player workload in a demanding season with numerous fixtures ahead. He commended Kasanwirjo’s defensive abilities and versatility, underscoring the importance of squad rotation in a busy schedule.
As Rangers look to bounce back from the defeat and regroup for upcoming fixtures, Clement’s assessment of the missed opportunities and defensive lapses serves as a valuable learning point for the team. With a focus on efficiency in front of goal and defensive solidity, Rangers aim to address the areas of improvement identified by Clement to enhance their performance in future matches.