WHEN Borna Barisic put a free-kick from promising range into the stands on Saturday, Connor Goldson made an observation.
Shamal George, making his debut for Livingston during Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Rangers, positioned himself almost directly behind the wall and left plenty of room for Barisic to target.
The Croatian was unable to exploit the gap on 71 minutes, but James Tavernier would capitalse just moments later.
Rangers’ set-up for the free-kick featured a mini-wall comprising of Malik Tillman and Goldson, presumably stationed to block the view of George.
“Borna [Barisic] tried the same side because the keeper gambled a little bit [with his positioning]. Connor [Goldson] came up to me and just said ‘do the same’ so I placed it and I’m delighted it went in,” Tavernier said after the game, commenting on his winning goal.
When the captain lined up his free-kick from the opposite side of the box George again left the far side of his goal open.
Normally in this situation, a keeper will trust his wall to block the near side of the goal and position himself further to the right.
The debutant was perhaps right to gamble when facing Barisic. The left-back is more likely to curl the ball over the wall than Tavernier, who hits his free kicks with greater venom. Barisic usually takes dead balls from close range, given he often strikes with his instep.
Stationed to prevent the ‘up and over’ wall curler and backing himself to reach a shot into the far corner, George’s central positioning couldn’t match the pace Tavernier hit his shot with on Saturday.
That was likely partly owing to the mini-wall, again featuring Tillman and Goldson.
In this still image, with the ball above Ayo Obileye’s head having just flown past the mini-wall, George’s feet have remained planted. He hasn’t yet seen the direction of the shot and by the time he does, it’s too late.
Reviewing the sequence and video in its entirety, it's clear to see the benefit of the mini-wall and the risk George takes with his positioning.
☑️ Rangers kick off the new season with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Livingston thanks to this James Tavernier goal! Comment below with your thoughts on the game 👇
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) July 30, 2022
📺Analysis & reaction on @SkyFootball
George managed to get a touch on the ball, but the pace of Tavernier's effort ensured any contact was a consolation.
Football is a game of fine margins. To earn three points at the Tony Macaroni, Rangers exploited every avenue they could.
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