Rangers’ stats against Villarreal you would expect make for equal reading. If so, then you’re right.
The numbers behind their clash at El Madrigal on Thursday night shows that Steven Gerrard’s side has nothing to fear. The Gers will be hoping to make it a first group stage victory in Europe since a 1-0 win over Bursaspor at Ibrox in 2010.
First of all, Rangers have never lost to Villarreal, but they’ve also never beaten them either. In fact, the two clubs have only ever met twice in their history. That came in a Champions League last 16 meeting back in 2006. Villarreal edged out the Gers 3-3 on away goals, with a 1-1 draw at El Madrigal in the second leg. A similar result will have Rangers celebrating this time.
It’s easy to look at the Yellow Submarine and think of them as a quality-filled side. Yet, in truth, they haven’t actually qualified for the Champions League in any of the last five years.
Despite having huge history in that competition, the La Liga side has only managed to get into the last 32 of Europe’s secondary tournament. Granted, in 2015-16, Villarreal did reach the semi-finals before being swept aside by Liverpool.
As difficult as it reads?
Villarreal at home reads like a difficult match, and so it should. But at El Madrigal, they’ve actually only won two of their last seven home matches in Europe. Rangers, on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last four away matches on the continent under Gerrard.
It’s generally accepted that a performance similar to the one in Maribor is required for success on Thursday. A clean sheet would work wonders for the Gers, especially considering that their opponents have only scored two goals in four matches this season.
Compare that with Gerrard’s side, who scored double that in their last match alone. Overall, Rangers have 22 goals under Gerrard in 14 matches.
With Alfredo Morelos out of action through suspension, the responsibility will fall on Kyle Lafferty’s shoulders for goals. Interestingly, the big Northern Irishman has never scored in Europe for the Gers. Even over his first spell at Ibrox, all of his strikes came in Scotland. Lafferty is a far better player these days, however, and can make himself an instant hero by bagging his first European goal for the club.
Defensive solidity will be extremely important, but Gerrard has had that in Europe so far. Of the eight qualifying games played, Rangers managed to keep five clean sheets. On the flip side, Villarreal have only had three shut-outs in an incredible 19 European matches. Goals are there to be had if Rangers approach this correctly.
It’s sure to be a tough encounter, but the stats are there to suggest Rangers can get a strong result.
