By Daily sports on August 7, 2020

Bayer Leverkusen ended Rangers’ 13-month Europa League journey from the first qualifying round to the last 16 with a straightforward win in Germany.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg at Ibrox on 12 March, Peter Bosz’s side were rarely troubled in an empty BayArena.

Kai Havertz hit the bar, slid a shot wide, and had an effort saved but it was Moussa Diaby’s alert run and finish that broke the deadlock.

The Germans now face Inter Milan in Monday’s quarter-final in Dusseldorf.

Rangers – with Brandon Barker starting ahead of Ianis Hagi – looked to trouble the team that finished fifth in the Bundesliga on the break. But opportunities were scarce.

A heavy touch by Alfredo Morelos spurned an early opening, and it was 21-year-old German international Havertz who went closest in the first half, clipping Allan McGregor’s crossbar with an angled snapshot and sliding a shot narrowly wide when one on one with the Rangers goalkeeper.

Leverkusen, playing their first match since losing the German Cup final to Bayern Munich on 4 July, were tidy in possession and threatened with balls through Rangers’ central defence.

Had it not been for a Filip Helander block from Florian Wirtz’s shot after a four-on-three attack, Rangers would have trailed at the break.

Diaby broke the stalemate in 51 minutes when he scampered clear of James Tavernier and on to a Charles Aranguiz ball before finishing high past McGregor.

The veteran goalkeeper used his left foot to save superbly from Havertz soon after before Rangers’ best chance – Connor Goldson having a header cleared off the line by Edmond Tapsoba.

That was as good as it got for Gerrard’s side, though, as a campaign that began with a win over St Joseph’s in Gibraltar on 9 July last year fizzled out. (BBC)

•PHOTO: Bayer Leverkusen players 

Source Daily sports

Posted August 7, 2020

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