As FC Porto thrashes Benfica 5-0 at the Estadio do Dragao, Rangers receive a blueprint for the Europa League.
The Gers are scheduled to play the renowned Iberian club in an intriguing Europa League Round of 16 match this week when they travel to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
A spectacular five-goal romp by Liga Portugal rivals FC Porto, who have showed Rangers how to get at Benfica, may have allayed any pre-match jitters, though.
Amidst a shocking weekend in Scotland, it appears that Portugal has also been shaken by some unexpected outcomes, with Porto’s Brazilian-born winger Galeno playing a key role in the triumph.
FC Porto destroys Benfica 5 – 0
A loss to Benfica would have eliminated FC Porto from the running for the Liga Portugal title, which is currently dangling by a thread.
However, the Portuguese team stepped up to the plate and produced an incredible performance to destroy As Águias and completely upend the country’s championship race.
Brazilian winger Galeno scored the first goal after finding himself unmarked at the back post from a corner. The attacker then scored the second goal in the six-yard box after taking advantage of some shoddy defending.
Ten minutes after the restart, Wendell, a fellow countryman of Galeno, made it three when his deflected shot went through the knees of Nicolas Otamendi, the defenceless centre defender from Argentina, and into the goal.
For the former Manchester City defender, things would only get worse when he received a second yellow card shortly after the hour mark.
Then, cruelly, Brazilian striker Pepe—not the renowned Portuguese center-back who, ironically, also participated in the game—slotted home a fourth.
Danny Namaso, a former Reading player, sealed the score late on with a header.
As a result, Sporting Lisbon continues to lead Liga Portugal, leading Benfica by one point despite having played one fewer game.
When FC Porto plays the league leaders at home on April 28, they will be six points behind Benfica in second place and seven points behind them.
Rangers handed Europa League blueprint
You can be sure that before Rangers’ Europa League trip this week, Philippe Clement and company will be dissecting Porto’s decisive victory over Benfica.
Although Ibrox will treat the excellent Portuguese team with the utmost respect, it is evident that there are ways to challenge this defensively weak team.
That’s not to say the club doesn’t have good players; players like Brazilian attacker Marcos Leonardo and Argentine winger Angel di Maria are serious threats.
Rangers could be in for a historic evening at the Estadio de Luz if they can concentrate their efforts and break the Benfica rhythm. The team has enjoyed great success in Portugal in previous seasons.
There is more than just prestige at stake in this double header, as participating teams stand to win €1.8 million (£1.5 million) in advance to the Europa League Quarterfinals.
This Thursday, March 7, at 8 PM GMT, Rangers will take on Benfica in Portugal. A week later, on March 14, at 5 PM GMT, the team will play again at Ibrox.
Glasgow residents are taking notice of the earlier kickoff, as Rangers have openly criticised the UEFA ruling—which was made for TV purposes.
Read more news at https://sportupdates.co.uk
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