Ufa vs Rangers – Thursday, August 30, 15:00 BST/16:00 CEST/17:00 MSK – Neftyanik Stadium, Ufa, Russia

Ibrox huffed and puffed, but didn’t quite blow Ufa’s house down last week. The melodrama of the late visa applications threatened to throw a spanner in the works before the tie had even started, with Scottish press even claiming the Russians would be thrown out of the competition if they couldn’t arrive to fulfil their fixture. In the end, however, the drama was saved for the pitch. Even there though Ufa’s stoic defensive shape help up to most of the inevitable pressure thrown at them to dampen the clear-cut chances to a minimum.

A narrow 1-0 deficit didn’t reflect the majority possession enjoyed by Rangers, but it offers a genuine chance of completing the job in Bashkortostan. To negate the possession Rangers will establish, however, they will have to produce their best performance of the season. Ufa have been struggling to juggle continental responsibilities with their early domestic campaign to the extent where their usual fall-back of a strong home is gradually fading.

Just like before the first leg, Ufa rotated their starting lineup to rest key players for the second leg. Once again, the gamble didn’t pay off as Zenit St. Petersburg cruised past them in second gear. Eighteen-year-old Arsenal target Igor Diveev made his debut marking 6”5’ Artyom Dzyuba, but before he was hauled off at halftime the damage had already been done. Rangers shouldn’t read too much into that result; Ufa have made no bones about this leg, the biggest game in their history, is their priority.

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Having made a horrific slip in one of the biggest games of his playing career to throw away his best chance of winning a league title, Steven Gerrard is well aware of the importance of concentration, especially with the season’s first Old Firm derby against Celtic this coming weekend. Few matches could rival a final playoff to make a European group stage for priorities, but if any could it’s a trip to Celtic Park. At the weekend his side let Motherwell put three goals past them through various lapses in concentration, most notably from first-leg goalscorer Connor Goldson in the early stages. After three league matches, they have dropped points twice already.

However, they remain an unbeaten side for a reason. In Europe, they have performed professionally by hitting opponents on the break while dominating possession away from home. Ufa represents one of the furthest journeys Rangers could possibly face, so there is little chance Gerrard will allow another golden opportunity slip through his fingers with reckless abandon. The age-old dilemma of whether to go for the kill and secure the vital away goal that would surely kill off the tie or sit back on the 1-0 aggregate lead will dominate their preparations.

Kyle Lafferty scored twice in the 3-3 draw against Motherwell a few days ago but is likely to remain on the bench to start with. Given his experience and history at the club, it makes sense to keep him in reserve for the Celtic game. His stature as a taller frontman might make him an option later in the game as Morelos inevitably tires. Whether Rangers will use him – or need to use him – will depend on the approach Gerrard takes and the character of his starting XI.

Ufa vs Rangers – Players to Watch

Ondrej Vanek #9 – Ufa

The Czech midfielder wasn’t even named in the matchday squad for Ufa’s second qualifying round legs against NK Domzale, and yet his two-goal salvo from the bench against Anzhi in the following league game forced Vanek into the side. He can be seen as a slight attacking luxury and may not start the game as Tomarev looks to frustrate Rangers at first. The fact remains Ufa need a goal to progress, and his introduction as a support to Sylvester Igboun could be critical. His long range shooting can be spectacular, and his presence in and around the box would allow Igboun to drift out wide with his pace and have a reliable target to aim for.

Ovie Ejaria #10 – Rangers

The on-loan Liverpool midfielder was the dictator in chief for Rangers as they largely bypassed Ufa’s midfield in Glasgow last week. A strong, rangey midfielder whose passing kept Ufa on the back foot throughout, Ejaria’s success will be vital if the Scots are to defend their narrow lead. Despite being a naturally more attacking midfielder Ejaria has adapted to a more controlling role in recent weeks to great effect. Steven Gerrard has set Rangers up more defensively away from home – Ejaria’s maturity is key to that gameplan.

Ufa vs Rangers – Match Stats

From 10 matches in all competitions so far this season, Ufa have won just two

They have failed to score in four out of their last five, with the last two matches they scored in coming against Rangers’ conquerors from last summer, Progres Niederkorn

After the last time they lost two consecutive home games, Ufa went on a five-match winning run conceding just once

Rangers’ unbeaten run now stand at 14 competitive games – the last two defeats were five months ago, both to Celtic, with nine goals conceded across both game

They have only won twice in their last 11 games in all competitions, averaging two goals conceded per game in that run

In the last six Europa League/UEFA Cup knockout ties where Rangers have taken a one-goal lead or worse into the second leg away from home, they have gone through four time

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Ufa vs Rangers – 1-0 (Ufa to win on penalties)

Ufa vs Rangers – Possible Lineups

Ufa:

Formation: 5-3-1-1

Belenov – Zhivoglyadov, Alikin, Nedelcearu, Tabidze, Jokic – Paurevic, Carp, Salatic – Oblyakov – Igboun

Manager: Sergey Tomarev

Rangers:

Formation: 4-3-3

McGregor – Tavernier, Coldson, Katic, Flanagan – Ejaria, Jack, Arfield – Candeias, Morelos, Kent

Manager: Steven Gerrard

Andrew Flint is an English freelance football writer living in Tyumen, Western Siberia, with his wife and two daughters. He has featured on These Football Times, Russian Football News, Four Four Two and Sovetski Sport, mostly focusing on full-length articles about derbies, youth development and the game in Russia. Due to his love for FC Tyumen, he is particularly interested in lower league Russian football, and is looking to establish himself in time for the 2018 World Cup. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMijFlint.

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