Rangers kept their Europa League hopes alive with a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their quarter-final clash, despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men.
The major talking point of the match came in the opening 15 minutes, as Robin Prova was sent off for a foul on Inaki Williamshaving been deemed to deny the forward a goalscoring opportunity by VAR.
The hosts bravely fought on, despite being a man down, and they were understandably under pressure from the visitors for most of the match, but the La Liga club struggled to break down the Rangers defence.
Athletic Bilbao thought they had the lead late on, when Alex Berenguer appeared to give them an advantage, but the goal was chalked off for an offside.
However, Dujon sterling was punished for a handball before the offside, so after another VAR check, the visitors were awarded a penalty, but Berenguer was denied from the spot after a brilliant save from Liam Kelly.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
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As goalless draws go, that was not bad at all!
The Gers coped well after Propper’s dismissal, and Kelly pulled off two excellent saves before the interval, as he tipped Maroan Sannadi‘s effort over the bar, before then stopping Oihan sancet‘s header from the resulting corner.
The visitors would have been fortunate to have taken a lead with them back to Spain, but it appeared as if it was heading that way, but Berenguer’s goal was ruled out for offside, and then he was denied from the penalty spot by Kelly.
Rangers defended superbly under extreme pressure from the visitors, and Bilbao will be very disappointed not to have taken a win back to the Basque Country next week.
The hosts would have absolutely signed up for a 0-0 when Propper was dismissed early on, and they are in with a fighting chance of making it through to the semi-finals with this result.
RANGERS VS. ATHLETIC BILBAO HIGHLIGHTS
13th min: Robin Propper (Rangers) red card
Oh dear – Rangers are going to have to play the majority of this game with 10 men!
Propper brings down Williams just outside the penalty area, and he originally is given a yellow card by the referee, but after a lengthy VAR check it has been upgraded to a red!
82nd min: Liam Kelly (Rangers) penalty save
An unbelievable few minutes of drama here! Bilbao thought they were ahead through Berenguer, but the goal is ruled out for offside.
Just as Rangers fans are celebrating, after a VAR check, the La Liga club have a penalty due to a handball by Sterling before the goal.
Berenguer still wanted his goal, and he stepped up for the resulting penalty, but Kelly is the hero as he saves to keep the scores level!
MAN OF THE MATCH – LIAM KELLY
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Chosen ahead of Jack Butland in goal, Kelly repaid Barry Ferguson‘s faith in him with a clean sheet and a penalty save to keep the scores level against the odds.
RANGERS VS. ATHLETIC BILBAO MATCH STATS
Possession: Rangers 29%-71% Athletic Bilbao
Shots: Rangers 4-19 Athletic Bilbao
Shots on target: Rangers 0-3 Athletic Bilbao
Corners: Rangers 2-9 Athletic Bilbao
Fouls: Rangers 6-12 Athletic Bilbao
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Rangers are in action again at the weekend, as they travel to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao are at home to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, before they meet Rangers again next Thursday to settle this tie.
No Data Analysis info
