Rangers and Antwerp played out an epic 7-goal thriller in the 1st leg of their Europa League tie in Belgium last week, and all of football’s neutrals will be hoping for more of the same on Thursday.
Rangers took the lead in the 38th-minute at the Bosuilstadion through Ayodele-Aribo but still ended up going in at the break behind.
🎯 Aim💥 Shoot⚽ Score🕵 Martin Hongla#UEL #ANTRAN #RAFC #OneRedFamily pic.twitter.com/twT56dpOxT— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) February 19, 2021
🎯 Aim💥 Shoot⚽ Score🕵 Martin Hongla#UEL #ANTRAN #RAFC #OneRedFamily pic.twitter.com/twT56dpOxT
Avenatti levelled for Antwerp in the 45th-minute and before the referee could blow his whistle for half-time the hosts were awarded a penalty which Refaelov eventually converted in the 8th-minute of stoppage time. Rangers need to respond after the break and they did, equalising through a Barisic penalty just before the hour mark.
However, Antwerp restored their lead in the 66th-minute through Hongla Yma and at this point Rangers’ fans probably feared the worst. The last 10-minutes proved fruitful for the visitors though, with Kent equalising for Steven Gerrard’s men and in the 90th-minute Barisic converted his second spot kick of the game to wrap up a 4-3 with for the Scottish side.
Rangers have now won five of their last six matches in all competitions and head into the 2nd leg as the form favourites. Antwerp have won just two of their last six outings and will feel deflated following that 1st leg defeat.
Everything points towards plenty of goals being scored in the 2nd leg of this Europa League tie, as both teams have scored in three of Rangers’ last four matches as well as in five of Antwerp’s last six fixtures.
Over 3.5 goals have been scored in each of Rangers’ last two games and in two of Antwerp’s last four outings.
Rangers followed up that 1st leg victory with a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Dundee United, while Antwerp were held to a goalless draw at home to Sint-Truiden and looked like they were suffering from some ill-effects from the Rangers defeat.
Key player James Tavernier has a knee injury and isn’t expected back until next month, while fellow defender Nikola Katic has an ACL injury and also won’t be back in action until late March.
Abdoulaye Seck will miss the 2nd leg for the visitors after being sent-off in the last game against Rangers, while Dylan Batubinsika, Alexis de Sart, Jean Butez and Sander Coopman are expected to miss the trip to Scotland through injury.
Rangers have the home advantage and form in their favour heading into the 2nd leg, not to mention the momentum following that late comeback in Belgium.
More goals are expected on Thursday, for both teams, but Rangers have been formidable in their own backyard this season and will be the favourites to claim another win against Antwerp.