Jump to content

***The Official Rangers V Spartak Moscow Match Thread***


ForeverAndEver

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, Prso's headband said:

Mate you’d have been forgiven for thinking Rob McLean had just learned his maw had died when Morelos scored the third. He literally said Morelos slots in for a bonus goal, 3-1 Rangers lol. 

I watched BT sport highlights of the tarriers game and you’d have been forgiven for thinking cellic tv was on when they scored their only goal. 

Once the third went in they claimed Salzburg were favourites to win it haha. They got to the semis last year tbf but no-one has taken into account teams like Spurs and one of Napoli and PSG dropping into it. 

They’ve painted it in a way that if we don’t get out our group it’s a travesty and a joke, remember we were pot 4. Whilst pot 2 cellic are struggling like fuck in their group and it’s made out to be some sort of group of death. 

When the draw was made, before any games were played, they were saying the exact opposite too. Talking as if the taigs would walk it, and we had the group of death that we had no chance of competing in.

Now that we've looked good, and they've struggled against Rosenborg and been pumped off Salzburg, they've done a 180. 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 1.1k
  • Created
  • Last Reply
46 minutes ago, the old guard said:

Agreed, loved the atmosphere against Vienna, unfortunately can't make game tonight, in tenerife and its fkn pissin down? 3 points tonight and were within touching distance, just need to focus and get right in about them. 

Some rain forecast for here tonight did not expect it to be where you are though. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, RussianFan said:

I started off my last Spartak European preview describing them as a club in crisis. Well, that crisis just increased tenfold this week, with the ludicrous sacking of immensely popular Italian coach Massimo Carrera.

Six weeks ago, the Red-Whites were still in the Champions League, still had Quincy Promes, few injuries and were right on Zenit St. Petersburg’s coattails at the top of the RPL.

Now, they have lost their talisman to Sevilla, key central defender Samuel Gigot to injury, lost to PAOK on the pitch in the UCL qualifiers before being easily dismantled by Rapid Wien in the opening Europa League group game. To top it all off, they were mere seconds away from a fantastic victory at home to Villarreal, only to be denied in the 96th minute by Santi Cazorla.

Tactical Analysis

Massimo Carrera had come under a lot of scrutiny before his sacking as he has tried different combinations to no avail, suspended two leaders in the side and had been unable to find a goalscoring formula.

However, the Italian did not control transfers, and clearly would not have green-lit the Promes transfer for such a paltry sum with zero time to replace him. Since he left and Samuel Gigot was injured, Spartak picked up just two points and scored five goals in seven games (including one against third-tier side Chernomorets Novorossiysk).

They lack a genuine creative spark, and despite being solid defensively, a mistake is always inevitable. The Arsenal game typifies the problems; rarely look like scoring, defensive mistakes and a general lack of approach.

Team News

It is anyone’s guess as to how they will line-up. Carrera has gone and his Spanish assistant Raul Riancho has taken over. A few fringe players may be recalled if so Pedro Rocha and Aleksandr Tashaev could be deployed wide in a counter-attacking system, or he could go with sheer physicality; Ze
Luis is a man-mountain up top, and Spartak have scored the most and conceded the least goals from set pieces in the RPL this season.

Denis Glushakov and Andrei Eschenko, no-longer suspended, were left out of the squad to Glasgow as they are essentially public enemies #1 and #2 in the eyes of the Spartak fans, who have demanded the termination of the former’s contract.

Aleksandr Selikhov and Samuel Gigot are still unavailable through long-term injury.

Key Players

Roman Zobnin – The central midfield dynamo has been Spartak’s most underrated player for years but has finally been given centre stage since Promes’ departure. Although I prefer him in a deeper, box-to-box role he has been somewhat transformed playing as a creative fulcrum and is now even a Cryuff-turn specialist. If Spartak is to get everything from the game, he needs to dominate the midfield.

Ze Luis – The giant striker is a vital part of Spartak’s build-up play, allowing his teammates to run off him with some effective physical play as a target man. However, I sincerely doubt he has the individual quality to score at an elite, European level. This being said, he will almost certainly play, being the Red-Whites’ only available striker for the next two games, it is imperative he starts scoring soon.

Aleksandr Tashaev – Although I supported Carrera to the bitter end and am fully against his sacking, one decision I constantly derided was his continued treatment of Tashaev. He is arguably one of very few in the whole side who currently possess genuine match-winning ability, and is the perfect replacement for Promes on the left.

Predicted Lineup

4-2-3-1: Maksimenko – Rasskazov, Kutepov, Dzhikiya, Kombarov – Fernando, Zobnin – Tashaev, Eremenko, Melgarejo – Ze Luis.

Prediction

Expect a high-tempo game as the Spartak players will work very hard and make up a lot of ground for their respected former assistant and fitness coach. However, they face an almost insurmountable task to get out of the group, currently lying bottom.

Expect high-flying Alfredo Morelos to be too much for Spartak, although both sides are in fact reasonably well matched. Rangers’ home advantage will likely see them edge it.

Rangers 2 – 1 Spartak

Link to post
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, giffnockger said:

Absolutely fucking buzzing for this, day is dragging in, into these smelly bastards from the word go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time going backwards sitting in work ?

Leaving work in Lanark at half 4 and heading straight through to the mrs gaff. Get her to drop me off at the Neptune for about 6 for usual pre match pints and a wee scran.

Link to post
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, ShanksRFC said:

Time going backwards sitting in work ?

Leaving work in Lanark at half 4 and heading straight through to the mrs gaff. Get her to drop me off at the Neptune for about 6 for usual pre match pints and a wee scran.

Working til half 4 as well mate then gona take the dug a walk then drive over, aff the madness til Sunday yassss

Link to post
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, cushynumber said:

A win would almost defo see as qualify out the group. And i think we will.

Yep, and only the most optimistic among us would have thought we would be in this position. Great position to be in, and if we get two really good results over these games then that's us. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Upcoming Events

    • 28 April 2024 11:30 Until 13:30
      0  
      St Mirren v Rangers
      The SMiSA Stadium
      Scottish Premiership
      Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

×
×
  • Create New...