In Lublin, two inebriated VAR referees were detained for stealing a road sign just 24 hours before the match.
Despite a first-leg draw with Dynamo Kyiv in their Champions League qualifier, Rangers seem to be on the right path. Cyriel Dessers scored a close-range equalizer, making it 1-1 in Poland and giving Philippe Clement’s team a strong chance to advance with the second leg at Hampden next week. Much like the two UEFA officials, Rangers were somewhat disoriented after a tumultuous summer and a goalless draw at Tynecastle.
However, they managed to clear their heads in the nick of time to secure a crucial late equalizer, which may boost confidence in Clement’s belief that he has a clear plan for the team. Now, all eyes are on Hampden, both for the upcoming match against Motherwell and the pivotal return leg. Dynamo’s Andriy Yarmolenko had given them a slim lead in the third qualifying round, but Dessers’ decisive goal kept Rangers in contention for a potential £40 million European prize. On the night, Rangers outperformed Kyiv, with Ross McCausland hitting the post and Dessers initially being denied an equalizer earlier in the second half.
Rangers still have work to do to progress, but Dessers’ late strike in Lublin could be crucial. The atmosphere at Arena Lublin felt unusual for such a significant game, given Dynamo’s temporary relocation due to the conflict in Ukraine. About 4,000 Ukrainian fans supported Dynamo, but the lack of a typical hostile Eastern European environment may have played into Rangers’ hands.
A few hundred Rangers fans who traveled would have been surprised by Clement’s lineup. New signings Robin Propper and Vaclav Cerny were on the bench, with Leon Balogun replacing Ben Davies, and McCausland starting despite not being a substitute against Hearts. If someone had predicted last season that Rangers would feature the Northern Irish youngster and Scott Wright as their wingers in a Champions League qualifier, it would have seemed unlikely. However, this is where Clement’s squad stands now, and he would have been pleased with the response from his pressured players, who started aggressively.
The big question was about Dynamo Kyiv’s quality. They had scored nine goals against a weak Partizan Belgrade side in the previous round, but how effective would they be at a neutral venue? Early on, Rangers appeared to be the stronger team, both with the ball and in their European experience.
Rangers controlled much of the first half and should have scored but went into the break trailing and worried that Kyiv might score more. Rangers had created early threats, playing a high line and pressing Kyiv in their own half. Tom Lawrence had an early attempt, and McCausland, who was sharp on the right, nearly scored a stunning goal. Unfortunately, his effort hit the post after beating the goalkeeper.
However, the game wasn’t entirely one-sided. When Rangers’ press lacked effectiveness, Dynamo exploited it, particularly on Rangers’ left flank. Ridvan Yilmaz and Wright struggled against the experienced Yarmolenko and the attacking full-back Oleksandr Karavayev. Dynamo had a goal ruled out for offside, and Jack Butland made a key save to deny Oleksandr Pikhalonok. But towards the end of the half, it seemed likely that Dynamo would score, and Yarmolenko did just that, tapping in a cross from Vanat after Yilmaz was dispossessed. Clement would have been frustrated by the soft concession of the opening goal.