Yesterday’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen was described as “in the way” by Michael Beale, who is focused on Thursday’s return to competitive action against Hibs.
The German outfit are behind Rangers in their preparations for the resumption of this season and although little can be drawn from the scoreline, the performance showed some of the ideas Beale’s been trying to implement since returning to Glasgow.
“There’s been a little bit of talking but there’s been more action on the pitch, in trying to put our ideas into place,” he told Sky Sports after the game before outlining some of the key principles that existed during his stint at Ibrox with Steven Gerrard.
“Trying to get people playing closer together. Being a bit more aggressive in our pressing. Playing with two strikers in both halves. We looked for real movement in the final third.”
It was the latter point, real fluidity and freedom for the attackers, that stood out most, given the close proximity to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s differing, more positionally restrictive style.
Speaking in his first interview with RangersTV after taking the job, Beale said: “There are players here from before who will have an idea of how I want to work. The ideas have changed a little bit, they've grown.”
Now the man in control, rather than a first-team coach with influence, he’s been clear in early media appearances that while foundational ideas from his last spell at the club will be similar, new ideas and increased variety will ensure this tenure isn’t a copy-and-paste job.
Some of those principles were clear from the off yesterday.
Rangers played very close together in possession. Building through the thirds, trying to outnumber the opposition around the ball and stretching the pitch with wing-backs.
When Bayer had possession the hosts kept the pitch small. By showing play around their shape, blocking off the middle and pressing in packs with a notably high line.
The benefit of this approach was shown a number of times but one particular example was notable before the break.
Rangers are closing off all of Bayer’s passing options and Antonio Colak’s positioning makes a pass into the central No.8 risky for the visitors, given so many opposition midfielders are ready to pounce and win the ball.
As a result, the ball is played to the touchline and then pressed backwards. Play is switched to the right where Bayer have fewer players, allowing Rangers to regain the ball in a dangerous area.
It’s a good example of compacting the centre, forcing the opponent wide and ‘owning the pitch’ despite not having the ball.
Aside from the reintroduction of these past principles, attacking fluidity caught the eye.
Rangers’ basic shape from the start saw Ryan Kent sit behind Rabbi Matondo and Colak as a No.10, with Malik Tillman slightly more advanced on the right than the double-pivot of Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack.
Beale spoke glowingly of Tillman in his post-match press conference, reaffirming his license to break free from the midfield and the 20-year-old's stated desire to play higher up the park. The manager also highlighted a belief that Kent’s at his best “when he’s completely free, very similarly to Alfredo [Morelos].”
Throughout it was only really the centre-back pairing of James Sands and Leon King who stayed in their starting position. Ahead of the defence, there was a clear emphasis on rotations and fluidity. It looked as though the team were playing with individual freedom in an overall framework.
In this example, Kent’s tucked in behind the strikers towards the left, while Tillman occupies a similar zone on the right.
Here, he drops out to receive on the right while Tillman moves to the left.
Below Kent and Matondo, pinned to the touchline under van Bronckhorst, drop into their own half to offer passing options.
In this frame the back four consists of two dropping centre-mids at full-back, Jack and Kamara, while Kent provides a passing option in the middle.
Before Tillman has a shot in the 18th minute, notice both Jack and Kamara make midfield runs beyond untracked to break down the defence, despite starting as the deepest midfielders.
The same pattern repeated after the break with Morelos granted freedom to drop deep and switch play.
As well as move to either wing. Below his strike partner Fashion Sakala is wide right, while the Colombian sits wide on the left.
He was also able to occupy the centre, running in behind to win a penalty from this Alex Lowry through-ball.
Beale will need unpredictability to break down defences week upon week in the Scottish Premiership. Yesterday, in an admittedly low-tempo game, the intention to carry multiple threats was clear.
A far sterner test will take place when Hibs visit Ibrox on Thursday to see how this fluidity plays out against a packed domestic defence.
READ MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel