What the press in Belgium said as Rangers eliminated Royal Antwerp from the UEFA Europa League last 32
Steven Gerrard’s side were touted as an example the Belgians should aspire to with the likes of Nathan Patterson coming off the bench and giving hope for the future, while an ‘offensively-strong’ home side taught the Great Old a lesson at the back.
Gazet van Antwerpen’s football analyst Patrick Goots said: "It is noticeable that Vercauteren, just like its predecessor Leko, does not or hardly rotate, because the quality is then simply a lot less. Gerrard, on the other hand, effortlessly brought in talents such as nineteen-year-old Patterson, and last week also Kent. It is an important lesson for the board towards the future. ”
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Hide AdRangers though were not quite as defensively sound as usual either, and could have been eliminated had Antwerp played to their capabilities, Goots added: “In the form of against Tottenham, Antwerp would have eliminated Rangers”, he said. “If you give away a goal after barely nine minutes, you actually already know it's over and over. Antwerp had to score three times by then, which is basically a hopeless task outside the home.”
‘The Scots were boss in the first half hour,” wrote HLN who highlighted the record goals haul for a Europa League knockout stage. HBVL were also complimentary of the hosts and added: “After a weak start in both the first and the second half – 5-2, Antwerp is rightly out of the Europa League. That is no shame against this offensive-strong Rangers, but there is work to be done defensively if the Great Old wants to be sure of [a Champions League] play-off quickly.”
Goots added: “ Rangers showed that defenders who are top in the Belgian league fall short on the European stage.”
“Just like last week, we shot our own foot time and time again,” said captain De Laet in David van den Broeck’s assessment for Nieuwsblad. He added: “Morelos - the Colombian Lamkel Zé - was in top form, as was Kent, but the way Le Marchand and Gélin gave away the opening goal after less than ten minutes was stupid. The first forgot to play back on his keeper, the second did, but saw his pass intercepted. "That was a gift, yes, and you pay for it in cash," said the coach. “We did come back to 1-1 and still believed in the break. But if you swallow that second goal immediately (after barely fifteen seconds, ed.) And then give away two more penalties (just like last week, ed.), You make it very difficult for yourself. "
However Antwerp were prised for their efforts - and their role in two enthralling encounters with Steven Gerrard’s team.
GVA analyst Goots added: “Antwerp leaves Europe with their head held high. The players have shown in the group phase, and certainly at home against Tottenham, that they can keep up at this level. It is up to Antwerp to ensure that it will be back next year.”