Philippe Clement rues Rangers ‘200% chances’ as boss plays the numbers game after Lyon teach a finishing lesson

Philippe Clement rues Rangers ‘200% chances’ as boss plays the numbers game after Lyon teach a finishing lesson

The Belgian was pleased with what his side created in Europa League clash but were given a finishing lesson

Rangers, according to Philippe Clement, matched Lyon’s chances, but the French club’s sharpshooters were the difference as they mercilessly defeated Gers at Ibrox.

After an opening-day Europa League victory in Malmo, Clement and his team were reminded that there are many levels to this game as the Ligue 1 side demonstrated a spectacular cutting edge to lead 3-1 at the interval. It might have been so different if Vaclav Cerny hadn’t produced a miss of the season contender before Malick Fofana opened the score.

Tom Lawrence demonstrated how it was done, but the visitors simply stepped it up, with Alexander Lacazette re-establishing the advantage before extending with an absolute stunner on half-time. Fofana put the game out of reach for the Light Blues ten minutes after the break, and Celtic’s lead in Dortmund could have been even greater.

But Clement was satisfied that his team performed well in terms of attacking metrics, albeit not the only one that mattered. He stated, “With the scoreline, we plainly do not reward ourselves. We have 200 percent opportunities, the first chances of the game, but we must kill them. When the score is 1-0 or 2-0, the game changes dramatically.

“So we fall behind by losing the ball in areas where we cannot lose it. Our defense is not sharp enough.

‘We go back to 1-1, but then we concede because we lose balls in our own half, which is quite disheartening. Of course, Lyon can absorb and wait for transitions. They are a team with many talented players with technical abilities. In the second half, we sought to push back.

“At the end of the game, you have the same number of chances and numbers, but the score is apparent. That’s the difference in quality and finish.”

With eight games remaining, Clement admitted that an early setback may not be as detrimental given the new Europa League format. But, with Tottenham and Manchester United still to come, he understands that points on the board will be essential if Rangers are to advance.

He went on to say, “Yes, but we are also aware of the group’s realities, as well as the quality of players and moves. We gave everything we had to win this game, but against opponents of this caliber, you have to seize the moment. “If you don’t take them, you don’t deserve anything in the game.”

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