MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 08:03:24| >> :120:69352:69352:
[monks data]
Rangers logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2020 at 8pm UK
Ibrox Stadium
Benfica

Rangers
2 - 2
Benfica

Arfield (7'), Roofe (69')
Kamara (79')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Tavernier (78' og.), Pizzi (81')
Gabriel (16'), Chiquinho (42'), Vertonghen (83')

Steven Gerrard takes positives from draw with Benfica

Steven Gerrard takes positives from draw with Benfica
© Reuters
Rangers were 2-0 up but then conceded twice late on.

Steven Gerrard insists he is happy with a point against Benfica despite seeing Rangers throw away another two-goal lead.

The Ibrox side looked to be on course for a famous scalp in what would have been their 150th European win after Scott Arfield and Kemar Roofe fired the Light Blues ahead.

But just as they did in Lisbon three weeks ago, Gers failed to hold onto their lead and had to settle for a 2-2 draw as Goncalo Ramos and Pizzi struck in quick succession to leave Rangers sick again.

However, Gerrard's team can still clinch qualification by beating Standard Liege when they visit Glasgow next Thursday.

And Gerrard admits he was satisfied with his team's tally of eight points from the first four games.

"Yes, there's disappointment," he said. "But when you go over it as we did a couple of weeks ago, when the emotion settles, then I think it will be a positive result.

"I think over the 90 minutes it was a fair result, even at 2-0 I didn't think we deserved to be two in front.

"I didn't think we had full control of the game. But you have to remember we are playing a top team, they are not a Europa League team in my opinion.

"They are a Champions League team. They're the fourth biggest spenders in world football.

"They have a great manager with a great pedigree so we have to be positive about the result.

"We would certainly have taken this position we are in now when the group started. Of course, at 2-0 up we are slightly disappointed that we didn't get the qualification done.

"But we are playing against top players and a top team. Benfica found some weaknesses in our performance towards the end of the game when we tired and we paid for it.

"But I will certainly go away and take the positives from the two games against Benfica. For where we are as a team, for us to compete against Benfica over two games is a big positive for me."

Gerrard – who was forced to leave out Joe Aribo with a stomach complaint – opted not to make any changes, even as his side flagged in the final stages.

Jorge Jesus' substitutions by contrast made the difference as Ramos and Pizzi climbed off the bench to snatch a point.

Gerrard said: "What you have to commit to that game in terms of fitness and concentration levels, the leg work you have to put in – that's what these top teams do to you.

"They work you from side to side and keep the intensity up for 90 minutes.

"Then when you make one or two small errors, they make you pay. That's what they did.

"We had to empty the tank for 70-75 minutes and we tired as a group. That's when we had a few complications. That's a learning experience for us as a group.

"We don't really play this kind of team domestically so we need to keep learning and growing, trying to add better players to our group, so in the future we become better and stronger towards the end of games at this level.

"Joe was unwell. He had a stomach complaint last night. Hopefully he will be available for the weekend.

"It's important to say it is not Covid-related. He was negative on his test, before people start putting two and two together."

Gers should have had a penalty when Jan Vertonghen handled a Roofe cross just before the striker rifled home another Euro special.

"It's a penalty," Gerrard told BT Sport. "It's not annoying – it needs looking at. I can see it and I am further away than the official. It's a clear penalty for everyone to see.

"It was a special goal from Kemar. He is in good form and is getting stronger."

ID:423939: cacheID:423939:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5407:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus pictured on November 5, 2020
Read Next:
A look at the opposition British teams will face in Europa League
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!