Calvin Bassey, who recently won the club’s Young Player of the Year Award saw 90 minutes of action while Aribo was replaced with seven minutes to go in the game.
Rangers travelled to RB Leipzig as underdogs in their Europa League semi-final first leg, and can be proud of their performance despite a 1-0 loss.
The reigning Scottish champions went into the game with the aim of making sure they were still in the tie for the second leg, and they managed that.
Rangers set up with a back-three, John Lundstram playing as the central centre-back. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were second-best throughout the first half, having to defend bravely, and did so.
Rangers struggled to hold onto the ball, and didn’t offer much threat of their own beyond a couple of counter-attacks, but they won’t have been too disappointed during half-time. For all of the home team’s possession, Leipzig didn’t create too many chances.
There were a couple of tweaks for the second half, which helped Rangers grow into the game. Joe Aribo was pushed further forward, with Ryan Kent and Scott Wright taking up wider positions in a 5-4-1, and the change worked. Aribo held the ball up well and linked play, and his presence made it much easier for Rangers to get the ball up the pitch.
James Tavernier got forward more frequently from wing-back, and Rangers offered much more threat, but Leipzig still had plenty of chances, with star man Christopher Nkunku blasting off target when he had an open goal to aim at.
It looked like that would be the chance to win, before Angelino scored a beautiful goal with five minutes left on the clock. A corner from the right was headed clear to the edge of the area. Angelino got to the ball before Kent, and hit it first time as it dropped out of the air. His volleyed shot dipped and moved as it arrowed towards the far post, and Alan McGregor couldn’t get down in time to meet it.
Rangers travel to Ibrox with just a one-goal deficit to overcome. With a full stadium behind them, and a more proactive approach than they had today, they will be confident of a magical night in Glasgow.
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