One of the recent issues and complaints about Rangers recruitment is that there werent enough upgrades or changes to the starting XI, and a reunion with Benfica will see this come to a head again.
The Portugeuse giants are a familiar foe in that we met them in 2020 in two games that both sides went toe to toe, the 2024 rematch might be similar.
For Rangers, there is a memory throwback featuring Benfica that is sure to see an eyebrow or two raised.
Rangers will have familiar faces when we line up against Benfica
Gers boss Philippe Clement is excited by the draw and there is every chance that there will be a repeat off the 3-3 and 2-2 thrillers that we saw in 2020.
The Belgian isn’t the type of manager to sit in and defend and neather are the Premeira Liga outfit.
Despite their undoubted quality, in both games under Steven Gerrard, there was an element of an opportunity missed having been in front in both games.
Even more so away from home when we were 3-1 up against ten men only for Darwin Nunez to cause carnage almost single handedly.
One of the problems in these games was the defence, they simply couldn’t handle the pace and movement of an attack that had it in spades.
In the 2-2 draw at Ibrox, there was a line-up that has a 2024 similarity.
In James Tavernier, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun, Rangers defence that night against Benfica is one that has been seen this season.
But for the experienced rear guard, the average age in Clement’s squad would be considerably lower.
It is a combination that won’t be seen this time around though, well, not all of them anyway.
Leon Balogun isn’t in the Europa League squad due to quota restrictions but there is every chance that the other three will take to the field again.
Hopefully, if they do, they will make a better job of keeping Angel de Maria and co at bay than they did with Darwin Nunez.
