How Rangers overwhelmed Aberdeen with tactical tinkering and intensity

After nearly a year in charge, recent performances have not been conducive to the notion of progress. Yes, it can take time for managers to implement a style of play but when supporters struggle to define that process and the product on show does not entertain, situations like last week develop when Rangers were booed off in successive games at Ibrox.

Yesterday’s 4-1 win against Aberdeen was different. The home side attacked from the start, made positive choices in possession and maintained that level for 90 minutes. Their 6.19xG total was by some distance the highest they've recorded this season.

Van Bronckhorst's approach featured his usual tactical tinkering, deploying Antonio Colak in a deeper role and seeking to exploit Aberdeen’s attacking man-marking system. Crucially, that was married with intensity and aggression which made all the difference.

As demonstrated in the below pass network, which charts the average position from which a player made their passes, Colak was stationed slightly behind wingers Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala. Malik Tillman can be seen just off of the No.9.

Colak attempted 29 open-play passes. To contextualise this number, the Croatian had averaged a far lower 13.75 open play passes per 90 before yesterday. His dropping deep to link play was more akin to the type of movement supporters are used to seeing Alfredo Morelos make. Red indicates success and yellow failure in the below pass graphic. 

What’s more, he was sought out 46 times in open play by his teammates, not including crosses. But why does this matter?

Not only does it show the summer signings' involvement in the build-up has increased and improved. It also highlights a tactical change that helped to make the difference as the manager highlighted post-match.

“When Aberdeen pressed high, it was obvious that we were one-on-one in the front,” the Dutchman said.

“That means every ball behind is dangerous, from a winger or midfielder.

“Especially Antonio did really well, playing a little bit towards the ball in a different role to make space for Fashion and Ryan.

“Fashion had a big chance in the first half as well and Malik, when he timed it right, he set up a big chance and got an assist for Antonio. It depends on the opponent, we reacted really well to their positions, knowing which players had to make the runs.”

READ MORE: How rampant Rangers annihilated Aberdeen with season-high chance creation

Because Aberdeen were marking man-for-man, and likely hadn’t anticipated Colak would play so deep, Anthony Stewart was tasked with following the forward into midfield while the rest of his team positioned themselves aggressively. Leaving a big gap in the defence.

Take this example from the first minute. Colak drops into midfield to receive directly from Allan McGregor, with Stewart for company, and earns a foul by turning quickly. Notice how high the Aberdeen midfield and attack are situated. 

Minutes later, he drops deep again with Stewart following him, to offer a central passing option as James Sands plays through the Aberdeen pressure. The forward then spins to play a ball out wide.

Look at the space in the Aberdeen defence with their three centre-backs highlighted as the ball is worked to Sakala, given Stewart has followed Colak’s movement. Tillman has remained high in an attempt to expose these gaps.

It was the on-loan youngster getting the better of his man with one of these runs that levelled the game. John Lundstram is in possession below, but notice the US international on the half-turn ready to expose the gaps in the visitor’s defence.

Colak has remained high this time and can finish with his customary far-corner goal.

One final example can be seen just before half-time when Sakala should have scored.

Again it’s a Sands ball into Colak who has dropped deep that gets Rangers forwards. Stewart is hesitant to get tight right away and give up space in the centre but ultimately, this just allows his opponent time to turn and feed in Sakala. The disjointed defensive line is highlighted again as the winger bursts through on goal.

As detailed, Rangers didn’t improve dramatically because they discounted the opponent and solely focused on their own performance. Van Bronckhorst has always tried to tailor elements of his team’s approach to the opposition’s weaknesses since arriving at Ibrox and yesterday was no different.

The unquestionable improvement on the eye came because the style was matched with energy, attacking intention and by the manager’s own admission an emphasised message to start the game quickly.

It must be replicated consistently going forward for this game to hold real significance in the story of the season.