Rangers 1-0 Alashkert: All the stats and trends in our data-driven match report

Against an Alashkert team who clocked an xG of 0.01 throughout, Steven Gerrard’s side huffed and puffed and played with a poor intensity. Their task was made all the more challenging when John Lundstrum received a red card two minutes before the break.

But a chance in intensity on the pitch was dictated by the stands as supporters gave the team support when they needed it the most, early in the second period.

The stats back up the view that this was a game in which a slow start contributed to an apathetic opening 45. Regardless of the opposition yesterday it seems as though the hosts would have stuttered given their performance.

Match stats and race chart

Rangers were never in danger of losing the match from a statistical point of view - but equally, they didn't look like they were going to win it until the tempo picked up on 55 minutes.

There was one moment when Steven Davis had his pocket picked and the visitors for a brief second had a clear avenue to goal, but the 36-year-old recovered well and any potential avenue was closed.

An overall xG of 0.95 to 0.01 suggests 1-0 was a fair scoreline. Ryan Kent had the highest xG value of any player and should have done better when through on goal.

READ MORE: Rangers recover with help of Ibrox crowd - but Steven Gerrard needs a response from his team

Average positions and pass maps

The average positions of the home side signify why everything looked so stale in the first period. As the Rangers Review wrote on the game, this is a team that is built to find central overload playing with two free 10s.

Circulated possession around opposing teams and endless crosses is always a sign that Rangers are having a bad day. Coincidently, the passage of play that lifted the mood was three successive balls whipped through the Armenians to progress centrally.

There was a general lack of forward passing throughout as seen by the passing network.

Scott Wright, No.23, was praised by his manager for his contribution after the match. As shown he was able to stick close to Morelos in attack to add pace to the attack. Ianis Hagi also played a hybrid role between front three and midfield three superbly in a marathon of a second period.

Alashkert had plenty of unopposed possession with the home side a man down, but did little with it.

Shot maps and xG values

As mentioned, Kent should have done better when through on goal. Notably, there was a number of shots taken from outside the area that suggests the team were having an off night.

Allan McGregor had a part to play in possession with Rangers down to 10 men but wasn't called into action otherwise.

PPDA and attacks by flanks

The pressing numbers predictably changed over at the interval after the red as the pressure on Rangers gradually increased up until the final whistle.

The goal came at a perfect time for the Ibrox side, who were able to afford possession to Alashkert and remain in their shape thereafter.

READ MORE: Detailed Rangers player ratings as Alfredo Morelos stars and John Lundstram lets the side down

The defensive structure wasn't altered all that much given the emphasis put on keeping attackers high without the ball.

In terms of the spread of play, Rangers were relatively well balanced. the final ball of Tavernier was still below par. He did however deliver an assist when it was needed, clipping a deft ball into the path of Morelos.

In Gerrard's own words, the game "wasn't about tactics and blocks". It was a game in which tempo and incision were lacking.

What was on show is common knowledge now to supporters, Rangers seriously struggle when a lack of tempo affords them stale possession.

They will need to start games at the level they rose to in the second period to avoid such perilous half time scenarios in the future.