The Portuguese press are certainly not underestimating the threat of an ‘outstanding’ Rangers side with captain and dangerman James Tavernier set to lead Philippe Clements side out against Benfica in the Europa League last-16.
Speaking after the draw was made on Friday morning, Clement wasted little time in proclaiming Benfica the favourites. Roger Schmidt’s side, the manager says, are a ‘very, very good team’, with Rangers the obvious ‘underdogs’.
Now, that is probably true.
Rangers are a team with only a fraction of Benfica’s budget. Schmidt can also call upon such talents as World Cup winner Angel di Maria, the free-scoring Rafa Silva, and two rising stars brimming with ‘world-class’ potential in Joao Neves and Antonio Silva.
Rangers ‘underdogs’ in Benfica clash
But write Rangers off at your peril.
This is a side who have already claimed their fair share of scalps in Europe – conquering Real Betis on Spanish soil as recently as December – with Portuguese publication A Bola keen to highlight their ‘outstanding’ track record in Europe’s secondary club competition.
“Rangers have been in great form,” A Bola say, pointing out that the Glasgow giants reached the final in both 2008 (when it was the UEFA Cup) and 2022. “The change of coach at the beginning of October contributed greatly to this, with Philippe Clément taking over the reins of the Scottish team.”
Rangers have won 16 of their last 17 games in all competitions, and nine on the spin. And while the excellent Abdallah Sima is likely to miss both legs through injury, this is a team for whom the goals tend to be spread out across the board.
Another outstanding James Tavernier season
“A rare and curious case in football, the team coached by Philippe Clement has a full-back leading the list of top scorers,” A Bola add, highlighting James Tavernier’s threat both from set-ball situations and from open play.
“There are 19 goals and five assists this season for Tavernier, the goalscoring full-back.
“Abdallah Sima is the team’s second top scorer, with 15 goals and assists. Cyriel Dessers completes the podium, with 14 goals. With forwards in good form, it is no wonder that Fabio Silva, who joined the club on loan in January, is finding it difficult to assert himself and earn a place in the XI.”
Silva, interestingly, spent two years in Benfica’s academy between 2015 and 2017. His return to Lisbon provides another intriguing subplot in an already enticing tie.
