A Tale of 2 Halves: Stuttgart 1 Rangers 1

I don’t think anybody that watched this match can be anything but disappointed at the results. Stuttgart came out strong and determined and their resolve was eventually rewarded with a quick counter attack goal courtesy of Pogrebnyak. I thought Hleb and Pogrebnyak worked well together all night (at least until Hleb was replaced.) Several other very good chances were spoiled in the first half (Cacau, Hitzlsperger , even Hleb) and had they been able to score a 2nd goal it most likely would have been enough to grab all 3 points. Cacau echoed these sentiments:

“I think we should simply have scored a second goal in the first half. In the second half Rangers were much more compact and that prevented us from increasing the pace of the game again. At home we just shouldn’t give away a lead in a game like that.”

But this was not the case. Stuttgart were sluggish in the 2nd half and Rangers decidedly more determined. Even still I wasn’t impressed by the Rangers attack as much as I was surprised and disappointed in Stuttgart’s lack thereof. I don’t think Rangers had an overall quality shining through that just overpowered Stuttgart. Stuttgart had all the tools to continue to take hold of this game. ESPECIALLY in front of a loud and supportive home crowd and there was no reason Rangers should’ve dominated possession like they did in the final 45 minutes. Bougherra’s goal in the 77th minute was a nice display, and probably deserving considering how they controlled the tempo in the 2nd half. Here’s what Babbel had to say of the matter:

“It’s a real pity for the lads. We played very well in the first half but just didn’t get a second goal. What I don’t understand is that we then only reacted and didn’t act ourselves. We have one point now and we must go from there. We’ll have to learn from that game as quickly as possible and do things better in Romania. We can’t afford to be so passive, it’s just not how we play. The first 45 minutes was very respectable and if we can build on that over the 90 minutes we will be successful. You’ve got to work hard on increasing our self-confidence.”

I can only assume Hleb was replaced due to the injury knock he picked up the last game; I don’t think he was particularly less effective than anybody else in the 2nd half; everybody was equally mediocre. Boka had a few shaky moments throughout the game and gave up a free kick in a dangerous spot. I never felt quite comfortable with him back there all match.

But it is what it is. It’s time to look ahead to the league this coming weekend and the next Champion’s League match in Romania (in many ways a MUST win.) Feel free to leave comments on the match-

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