Why Fashion Sakala struggled to replace Alfredo Morelos in Rangers' defeat to Braga

There was a moment in the second half, as Rangers toiled in search of an equaliser in Braga, where McCoist urged Rangers “to work with the boy on the training ground” in reference to Fashion Sakala.

In an attacking display which lacked punch, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side felt the pinch of Alfredo Morelos’ absence in their 1-0 first leg defeat to Braga in the Europa League quarter-final.

The Zambian, handed only his third European start since arriving at Ibrox, struggled to replicate the all-action output of Morelos in a game where his lack of influence led McCoist, and Rangers fans alike, tearing their hair out.

The Rangers Review analyses Sakala’s display.

Different wavelengths

The principal differences in the games of Sakala and Morelos were evident prior to last night.

Whereas Morelos thrives on contact from defenders, the Zambian is at his most effective in open space.

What this meant was that there was often a chasm between the midfield and attack with Sakala reluctant to drop infront of the Braga defence.

This was illustrated at the beginning of the second half, in a period of the game where Rangers were struggling to escape from a sustained spell of Braga pressure.

Ryan Jack is alert to intercept a pass infield from Yan Couto.

However, when he attempts to spring Rangers forward with a direct pass into Sakala, the Zambian is on a different wavelength.

Jack attempts to play a pass into Sakala’s feet to alleviate the pressure on Rangers and build possession, as the Gers typically do through Morelos, but Sakala has spun in behind the Braga defence in an attempt to exploit the space.

The turnover then allows the Portuguese side to sustain their pressure on Rangers in the final third.

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Outnumbered

Sakala recorded seven receptions on the evening before he was withdrawn in the 66th minute. Morelos, meanwhile, has averaged 20 receptions per 90 minutes across his eleven Europa League appearances this season.

It is even more stark when you compare the involvement of each player in their ability to combine with their teammates. Whereas Morelos is averaging 28 passes per 90 minutes in the Europa League this term, Sakala registered a meagre eight passes in Braga.

The Portuguese side got their goal as the clock ticked towards half time after a period where Braga had hit the post before having a goal ruled out by a VAR intervention.

Rangers had difficulty gaining control in the game, with the away side often struggling to play directly into their No.9.

As Bassey receives with time and space in the left-hand corner, he looks up the pitch for an outlet.

In this instance, with Ryan Kent having been pulled deep to help defensively, Morelos would drift into the channel to open a direct passing option.

However, Sakala – whether by accident or design – is too central, meaning he is slow to get over and react to Bassey’s lofted pass.

In the end, he is outmuscled and Braga can restart their attack in Rangers’ half.

Whereas Morelos can often fulfil the role of two forwards, Sakala struggled with the lack of support he received. With Braga operating with a three-man central defensive system, it left the Zambian outnumbered constantly in 1v3 situations.

READ MORE: Joe Aribo's absence and Rangers' overhit crosses: Analysing set piece struggles in Braga

Rangers attempted to counteract their lack of direct, central presence by concentrating their deep build-up down the flanks towards the end of the first half.

As the Gers cycle the ball between their central defenders, Jack drops into the right full-back position to allow Tavernier to take up a more advanced position.

As the midfielder receives the ball, Tavernier’s high position is such that he has moved out of shot.

When Jack knocks the ball inside to Scott Arfield, Tavernier steps infront of his marker to provide an option to hold the ball up.

Instead, Jack and Arfield exchange passes, moving the ball into Tavernier in space to start an attack high up the pitch for Rangers.

Sakala could only muster a single sighting of goal on the evening, when he was released by Jack after a sharp, one-touch attack down the left from Rangers in the first half.

Although his touch to create separation from his marker was impressive…

…the subsequent finish lacked composure.

As shown below in Kent’s receptions map, van Bronckhorst also resisted the urge to move the winger centrally alongside Sakala as he has done in previous Europa League knockout ties this year.

In the end, it left Sakala isolated against a physically superior Braga backline, blunting the Gers’ ability to launch consistent attacks.

Finding a solution to the problems which Morelos’ season-ending injury has posed will be top of van Bronckhorst’s priority list heading into a pivotal run of fixtures.

The Zambian represented a square peg in a round hole in Braga and the Rangers faithful will hope lessons are learned.