Djeidi Gassama’s Impact secures Rangers’ Advancement in Champions League qualifiers

Djeidi Gassama quickly became a standout figure for Rangers, delivering a crucial goal shortly after entering the match against Panathinaikos. his timely contribution played a pivotal role in propelling the Scottish side further in their Champions League qualifying journey.

Rangers Battle Fierce Opposition Under Intense Conditions

Despite carrying a 2-0 lead from the first leg, Russell Martin’s team faced relentless pressure at Athens’ Olympic Stadium amid scorching heat. The Greek side dominated possession and launched wave after wave of attacks, steadfast to overturn the aggregate deficit.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland was vital throughout, producing several key saves during the opening half to keep rangers competitive despite mounting threats from Panathinaikos.

Defensive Fortitude Amid Early Onslaughts

• Tasos Bakasetas came close with an early attempt inside five minutes but failed to convert.
• Facundo Pellistri tested Butland with a dangerous shot soon afterward.
• A powerful header by Fotis Ioannidis was expertly pushed over by Butland just before halftime, preserving Rangers’ advantage.

The visitors found it arduous to escape their defensive zone but showed flashes of promise. Notably, Nico Raskin nearly scored with a header off Joe Rothwell’s cross that narrowly missed its target. Nevertheless, Panathinaikos controlled much of the first period’s tempo and territory.

VAR Controversy Followed by Immediate Response from Rangers

The deadlock finally broke ten minutes into the second half when Filip duricic headed home for Panathinaikos. Initially ruled out for offside, VAR review overturned this decision confirming Duricic was onside-cutting Rangers’ aggregate lead to 3-1 overall (2-1 on the night).

however, almost instantly after conceding, summer signing Djeidi Gassama silenced doubts with an exceptional volley on his very first touch following his substitution for Findlay Curtis. This strike not only restored Rangers’ two-goal cushion but also secured European football at least through Christmas via Europa League qualification if Champions League ambitions faltered later on.

Next Challenge: Viktoria Plzen Awaits at Ibrox

Having sealed progression with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline, Rangers now prepare to face Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round. The initial leg is set for early August at Ibrox Stadium as they continue striving toward reaching Europe’s elite group stage-a milestone last achieved several seasons ago amid increasingly competitive continental tournaments.

Russell Martin Highlights team Progress Despite Challenges Faced

“I’m extremely proud of how much progress these players have made within just over five weeks,” said head coach Russell Martin. “competing away in opposed environments is always demanding; our squad demonstrated remarkable resilience.”

The manager singled out key contributors such as John Souttar and Nasser Djiga while emphasizing Jack Butland’s critical role across both legs. He acknowledged that although reliance on spectacular goalkeeping should decrease moving forward, impactful substitutes like Gassama were essential during this qualification phase:

• “The bench players made notable impacts today.”
• “Securing Europa League football keeps us competitive while we aim higher toward Champions League group stages.”
• “This experience will be invaluable as we grow collectively.”

Kris Boyd Points Out Defensive Weaknesses Despite Positive Result

Kris Boyd noted that although Rangers benefited from some fortunate moments-especially due to Butland’s heroics-their defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly throughout both legs against panathinaikos:

• “Their defense faced constant scrutiny; tightening up will be crucial going forward,” Boyd remarked.

The former striker emphasized that while exciting new signings have bolstered attacking options recently at Ibrox, maintaining consistency remains vital if they hope to replicate or exceed previous triumphant European campaigns:

“They possess great potential but must shore up defensively if aiming for deeper runs,” Boyd added.
“The upcoming qualifier against Viktoria Plzen will present another stern test.”

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