PSV Eindhoven and Rangers are all square going into the second leg of their Champions League qualifying game. The first match between the two clubs ended in a crazy 2-2 draw at Ibrox for the second year in a row. Peter Bosz’s team twice came from behind to salvage a point.
Preview (PSV Eindhoven vs. Rangers)
Lightning would strike again in Glasgow, though, as with 10 minutes left, PSV’s talismanic goal scorer Luuk de Jong rose highest from a corner and, despite missing his header, the ball slammed into the back of the net off the top of his shoulder. Few PSV supporters will need reminding of how last year’s second leg at Philips Stadion turned out. A few more last-ditch opportunities for Rangers came and went. Their Dutch colleagues traveled back to base in a great position to overcome the final obstacle. However, PSV has now scored at least twice in five straight games. They are yet to lose a match in a competitive setting at Philips Stadion in 2023.
Michael Beale’s Rangers need to channel the spirit of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s team. Thry won 1-0 at Philips Stadion last year thanks to an Antonio Colak goal before a forgettable group-stage campaign. In order to deny PSV a first Champions League group-stage berth since the 2018–19 season. Rangers traveled to Ross County on Saturday for their most recent Scottish Premiership match. The Gers easily defeated their opponents in a 2-0 victory. PSV, on the other hand, had the luxury of a weekend off from domestic obligations.
Rangers, who have a six-game unbeaten streak to defend heading into Wednesday’s second leg, have also caused the net to ripple twice on five of those occasions (their Servette draw being the exception), and recent history isn’t the only factor working in their favor in Eindhoven. The Eredivisie team has only ever defeated their Scottish opponents once in nine previous matches between PSV and Rangers across all competitions, a 1-0 Ibrox victory in the second leg of a Europa League last-16 tie in 2010–11. A repeat of the 35-year-old’s feats this week would not go amiss for the hosts.
Team news
Despite losing both of their center backs, Andre Ramalho and Olivier Boscagli, to injuries at Ibrox, PSV managed to hold on for a 2-2 draw. Boscagli’s participation is less assured, while Patrick van Aanholt, Mauro Junior, and Fredrik Oppegard are also under the supervision of the medical staff and fellow center-half Armando Obispo is making progress in his comeback from a knee injury but is unlikely to be risked so soon. Sergino Dest, on loan from Barcelona, may need to fill in at left-back once more, possibly along with another newcomer and backup center-back Jerdy Schouten.
In contrast, Rangers have not experienced any fresh issues following their most recent international or domestic contest, despite the fact that Steven Davis, an ongoing ACL patient, and Ridvan Yilmaz, who is dealing with a strain, were both out against Ross County. However, Nnamdi Ofoborh has left after his stay at Ibrox was plagued by a heart issue. Yilmaz is now being put through his paces on the training surfaces and could yet prove his fitness in time. Tom Lawrence and goal scorer Roofe all overcame injuries to play at the weekend. Roofe anticipates that returning Sima will take Roofe’s spot in the final third despite Roofe scoring the first goal at the weekend.
PSV 2 – 1 Rangers
For more football previews, click here
