Rangers’ Europa League campaign came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, but the team earned praise for their fighting spirit and tactics under Barry Ferguson. Despite the loss, Rangers’ reputation has been boosted by their European exploits.
Spanish sports daily Marca praised Athletic’s superiority, highlighting the impact of Rangers’ injury to their full-back, which forced them to reshuffle their defense and ultimately led to their downfall. The newspaper also defended the referee’s decision not to award a penalty for a shirt pull on Cyriel Dessers, stating that the contact was minimal.
AS also praised Athletic’s determination and confidence, noting their impressive home record in the UEFA competition. The newspaper highlighted the team’s star players, Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, and the electric atmosphere in Bilbao, where thousands of fans wearing red-and-white jerseys made their way to the stadium.
Tribal Football noted Athletic’s perfect home record in the competition and their quest for a first European semi-final appearance in 13 years. The website also highlighted the controversy surrounding the non-penalty decision on Dessers.
Sport emphasized the significance of the Europa League final being held at San Mames, which added to Athletic’s motivation. The newspaper praised Rangers’ aggressive start but noted that Athletic’s nerves eventually gave way to a strong performance.
Despite the defeat, Rangers can take pride in their European campaign, and the experience will likely shape their approach to the game in the future. However, the reality of a trophyless season is now stark, and change is needed both on and off the pitch.
