Philippe Clement Critiques Rangers’ Profligacy in Lyon Defeat

Philippe Clement expressed frustration over Rangers’ failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities after they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Lyon in the Europa League. This loss came just two days after Celtic’s 7-1 humiliation against Borussia Dortmund, marking a tough week for Scottish football. Clement lamented that his team lacked sharpness both defensively and in attack. He highlighted crucial missed chances by James Tavernier and Vaclav Cerny early in the match, stating, “If it’s 1-0 or 2-0, of course, it’s a totally different game.”

Despite having an expected goals tally of 2.26 compared to Lyon’s 2.15, the Ibrox side failed to convert their chances, showcasing an ongoing issue with profligacy in front of goal. While Philippe Clement acknowledged the importance of creating chances against a strong opponent, he stressed, “I don’t accept losing games and I don’t accept the level we are at.” He emphasized the need for improvement to finish scoring opportunities.

However, the defensive frailties of Rangers were glaring as they allowed Lyon’s attackers including Alexandre Lacazette and Rayan Cherki, to exploit their mistakes. This defeat marked the first time Rangers had conceded four goals at home in the Europa League, raising questions about their defensive structure and overall performance level. Steven Thompson pointed out that despite Rangers securing four clean sheets previously, their performances lacked conviction.

He suggested that the results were concealing more significant underlying issues. Overall, it was a painful night for Rangers, who struggled to match the quality of Lyon exposing the steep learning curve they face in the competition this season. The match served as a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead as both Rangers and Celtic endure a tough start to their European campaigns.