The Group A clash saw James Sands sent off in the 55th minute for a second caution after the defender brought down Giovanni Simeone to concede a penalty. However, despite Rangers goalkeeper Alan McGregor, 40, twice saving penalties from Piotr Zielinski, the visitors finally made the breakthrough midway through the second half with a third spot-kick which was successfully converted this time by Matteo Politano. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Players, staff and fans observed a minute’s silence and sang the national anthem in tribute to The Queen ahead of the Champions League match between Rangers and Napoli The Serie A leaders sealed victory with two late goals from substitutes Giacomo Raspadori and Tangi Dobelle as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season. For Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, however, it was a third straight defeat in all competitions as they remain rooted to the bottom of Group A ahead of back-to-back games against Liverpool.
Player Ratings
Rangers: McGregor (8), Tavernier (7), Goldson (6), Sands (6), Barisic (6), Davis (6), Jack (8), Lundstram (7), Arfield (8), Kent (8), Morelos (7) Subs: Colak (6), Thanks (6), Camera (6), King (6), Tillman (6) Naples: Meret (7), Di Lorenzo (7), Rrahmani (6), Kim (6), Mario Rui (7), Zambo (6), Lobotka (6), Zielinski (9), Politano (8), Simeone (7 ) ), Kvaratskhelia (8) Subs: Elmas (6), Olivera (6), Zerbin (7), Raspadori (7), Ndombele (7) Man of the Match: Piotr Zielinski
How the Rangers suffered their third loss on the bounce
Rangers head into this clash on the back of bruising 4-0 defeats to Celtic and Ajax, leading Van Bronckhorst to make five changes against one of Europe’s most in-form teams. One of those changes saw a first start in attack since March for Alfredo Morelos and the move almost paid off immediately when the striker was off target straight from the kick-off in a pulsating start at Ibrox. Image: Napoli’s Matteo Politano celebrates after making it 1-0 against Rangers The impressive Zielinski hit an effort against the post seconds later, but it was the hosts – perhaps spurred on by a rousing pre-match rendition of the national anthem against UEFA’s wishes – who looked more likely to score in the opening exchanges as Scott Arfield also went close. Napoli, however, slowly grew into the contest as the veteran Rangers ‘keeper was quickly recalled from his line to deny Simeone, and somehow they were still scoreless at the break. Image: Rangers’ Jon Lundstrom looks frustrated during a UEFA Champions League match against Napoli Ten minutes after the interval, however, came the defining moment of the game as Simeone – son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego – burst through on goal, only to be brought down by Sanz’s desperate tackle from behind. Zielinski’s first-time effort was kept out by McGregor, before Politano converted the rebound, only for it to be replayed after the video assistant referee spotted the scorer invading the area.
Team news
Rangers made five changes from the side that were beaten 4-0 at Ajax last week, with John McLaughlin, Glen Kamara, Scott Wright, Antonio Kolac and Malik Tillman all leaving. They were joined by veteran Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos. The visitors were without key player Victor Osimhen, who was injured in last week’s 4-1 win over Liverpool, with Giovanni Simeone replacing him in attack. Meanwhile, the Italians also brought in Mario Rui to replace Mathias Olivera at left-back. Incredibly, McGregor again guessed correctly to stop the Polish midfielder’s strike, however, the visitors were awarded a third penalty when Borna Barisic was adjudged to have handled Kvitsa Kvaratskelia’s shot in the box. This time it was Politano who was in charge, beating McGregor low to his left, before Napoli wrapped up the game with two late goals. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Soccer Special’s Kris Boyd was left baffled as Napoli’s first penalty of the match was taken twice and saved twice! Raspadori scored the second goal with five minutes remaining and Dobele – on loan at Napoli from Tottenham – grabbed the third in stoppage time.
Analysis: Losing continues but still plenty to cheer for Rangers
Image: Ryan Kent runs through the Napoli defence
Rangers head into their clash with Napoli in form having lost their previous two games to Celtic and Ajax 4-0, results which have prompted much soul-searching for manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Dutchman’s response was to double down, insisting he had no intention of changing his footballing philosophy simply based on these two albeit painful setbacks. And while his side lost again, goalless, to the Serie A leaders at Ibrox – just the second time they have suffered defeats in the first two Champions League groups – it was a much-improved display from the home side. In fact, Rangers were unlucky not to take the lead at half-time and despite having to play most of the second half with 10 men, they still won 10 shots in the match, six more than they managed against Ajax in their group opener – phase match. Now all they need to do is find the net in their next group game, at Anfield on October 4.
Age no barrier for veteran McGregor – Opta stats
At the age of 40 years and 226 days, Allan McGregor became the fifth oldest player in the Champions League (behind Marco Ballotta 43 years 252, Gianluigi Buffon 42y 315d, Oleksandr Shovkovskiy 41y 255d and Mark Schwarzer 41y 2. Since 2003-04, Napoli are only the third team to be awarded two or more penalties in the Champions League (also v Liverpool in MD1), the others being Chelsea v FC Krasnodar in October 2020 and then Rennes in November of 2020. , and Salzburg vs Lille and Sevilla in September 2021. Napoli’s Matteo Politano scored his first Champions League goal in his 14th appearance in the competition. That goal was also his first in the Champions League since getting an assist for Inter Milan against PSV in December 2018. James Sands is the third American to be sent off in the Champions League after Saha Kliestan (2013 for Anderlecht) and John Brooks (2021 for Wolfsburg) Napoli have won both of their opening two group stage games for only the second time (also in 2016/17). Meanwhile, the seven goals are the most they have scored after two games in a single season in the competition.
What the managers said…
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst: Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Rangers manager Van Bronckhorst is full of praise for his Rangers side despite a three-goal defeat at Napoli. “Until the red card we gave Napoli a very difficult game,” he said. “We were organized, good at the game and the players gave everything to get a good result. “We created chances to open the scoring and it was a good battle to watch, but of course with the dismissal we knew it was going to be difficult. “Alan saved two penalties which was fantastic but the first goal we conceded made me change the way we played because we have to attack and you know you’re going to have more space so in the end I think losing 3-0 didn’t it reflected the difference in quality.” Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti: “After two missed penalties, it was important to continue,” he said. “They started really strong with their fans as we expected, but instead of slowing down we reacted, I felt. “I thought it was an even game in a lot of places but we didn’t change, we never stopped pushing them and I want to thank everyone. It was another good game for me to be on the bench.”
Man of the Match – Piotr Zielinski
Napoli have had to deal with the loss of several superstar players of late, however, one man they will be happy to keep hold of is their Poland international. The 28-year-old, who has been at Napoli since 2016, put on the show at Ibrox on Wednesday night, displaying some excellent touches and close control that the hosts could not live with. All that was good about the Serie A leaders came from his boot and while he marred his performance by having two penalties saved, it did not cost his side as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
What’s next?
Rangers take on Dundee United at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon, with the game kicking off at 3pm. Meanwhile, Napoli face AC Milan at the San Siro in Serie A on Sunday at 7.45pm.
