It was a disappointing evening for Rangers on Tuesday and they now have it all to do at Ibrox next week.
The Light Blues return home for the second leg with the challenge of turning around a two-goal deficit in front of a sure to be noisy home crowd. Tuesday's clash saw Union Saint Gilloise net their first European goal in 58 years when captain Teddy Teuma put one past Jon McLaughlin in the 27th minute. The hosts doubled their lead from the spot after 76 minutes, when Dante Vanzeir slotted home.
There was some controversy to go with the goals, with Connor Goldson 's 'hand ball' resulting in Union's second goal at the Den Dreef. But decisions aside, the performance overall was less than impressive. And that’s also the take from around the world’s media who have branded Rangers’ display "sluggish" and "punchless". Many outlets feel they have a mountain to climb and that their hopes of Champions League group stage football look somewhat diminished for now. Here is what the press from Belgium to France and Turkey to London had to say about the clash...
Het Laatste Nieuws (Belgium)
The first European match in 58 years for Union. Then it is not illogical that they still had a bit of cold feet. In the opening quarter, the team from Brussels allowed themselves to be pushed away by Rangers, who lost the Europa League finalist last season. Moris saved on a free kick from Barisic and Sands tried from a distance. But Union restored the balance. In fact, they suddenly became the better team.
Voetbalzone (Netherlands)
In the first 15 minutes, Van Bronckhorst's team was lord and master.
Union's Luxembourg keeper, Anthony Moris, has shown a number of times to be very alert with his saves. Halfway through the first half, the Belgian club finally got rid of the hesitation and Union actually got some chances. In the 25th minute, the Belgians were close to the opening goal when Lazare Amani was well defended just in time. Less than two minutes later, that goal fell after all, when Teuma managed to pick up the ball in the box and shot hard past Jon McLaughlin. This goal gave Union momentum.
Daily Mail (London)
Fortunately, the match was played in the beer capital of Belgium and there was comfort available for the visiting fans. The Rangers' performance was as flat as a pint tapped the day before.
Rangers' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2010 are not over yet, but things will have to be changed on Tuesday night if Giovanni van Bronckhorst's troops are to turn the situation around. No one could argue that Union Saint-Gilloise deserved the victory by two goals. The Belgians had enough chances to make things worse. Earlier in the day, the trophy revealed that PSV or Monaco will be the next opponent, but Van Bronckhorst cannot see that far yet.
L'Equipe (France)
Glasgow Rangers, unfortunate finalists in the last Europa League , were dominant in the first half and provided the most dangerous chances, but fell to a rock. It was the Unionists who, on their first shot on target of the match, opened the scoring through their captain Teddy Teuma (27th, 1-0).
Bart Nieuwkoop could have widened the gap with a long shot, but the ball hit the post (60th). Finally, Dante Vanzeir took charge of transforming the penalty obtained thanks to a hand in the area (76th, 2-0). A happier ending for the Scots who were close to conceding a third goal.
Daily Sabah (Turkey)
Rangers' hopes of making a Champions League return were dented after the Glasgow giants slumped to a 2-0 away defeat at Belgian minnow Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie Tuesday.
It is a remarkable result for the Brussels club, who returned to the Belgian top flight last season after an absence of almost half a century and promptly finished second under the ownership of English entrepreneur Tony Bloom. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers now face an uphill struggle in the return leg next Tuesday, Aug. 9.
Sporting News (USA)
Rangers' chances of a Champions League group stage spot in 2022/23 are in real danger after the Scottish giants slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. Union are bidding for their first European appearance since 1964, with Rangers aiming for a Champions League return, but Gio van Bronckhorst's side faces a mountain to climb at Ibrox next week.
Rangers will need a major turnaround in Glasgow to avoid missing out on the Champions League with the advantage with Union after a historic night at Den Dreef Stadium.
The Times (London)
Suddenly, this path to the group stage of the Champions League looks fraught with danger. The first small step in what Rangers hope will be another long and lucrative European adventure turned out to be a horrible, faltering one in Belgium last night.
Less than three months after they graced the Europa League final in Seville, here they were in a city just outside Brussels, the home of Stella Artois no less, looking for all the world as though they had a hangover. Their sluggish, punchless display was punished by a goal in each half from Union Saint-Gilloise, a team who were promoted to their country’s top flight only a year ago.
READ NEXT
