Servette’s adventure in the Champions League ended in the third preliminary round. Condemned to win against Rangers after losing 2-1 in the first leg, the Servettiens conceded a draw (1-1) insufficient to continue their journey. Despite this elimination, Servette will still console themselves with a qualification for the group stage of the Europa League.
After having taken out the Belgians of Genk on penalties in the previous round, Servette therefore did not achieve a second feat in a row. But once again, René Weiler’s men certainly looked Glasgow Rangers, a 55x Scottish champion and 34x National Cup winner, in the eye.
After the first five minutes of measuring themselves, where Rangers put their foot on the ball without being really dangerous, it only took one counter for Servette to show his opponent that the task of qualifying for the play-offs of the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven was not going to be as easy as hoped.
It was Nicolas Vouilloz who initiated this first action and which ended with a subtle backheel from Chris Bedia which enabled Timothée Cognat to be launched alone against Jack Butland, but the Rangers goalkeeper intervened with authority.
Servette opens the scoring in the 22nd
The Servettians therefore immediately showed that the rare opportunities they would have would very often be dangerous. And it was not until the 22nd to confirm this impression, Derek Kutesa wrapping his shot perfectly at the far post to allow Servette to open the scoring.
But it was not only in attack that René Weiler’s men knew how to be sharp, since it was not until the 30th to see the Scots really carry the danger, via Danilo, who missed the inevitable by shooting at the above when he found himself alone in front of the goal.
Rangers generally had possession, but it was Servette who almost made the score worse, once again thanks to Kutesa, who left alone against the opposing goalkeeper in the 38th minute. Nevertheless, the garnet winger stumbled once again on Jack Butland but above all did not see that Jérémy Guillemenot followed and that he found himself alone against the far post …
The joy of the Servettiens, Derek Kutesa (in the center) has just opened the scoring for the Garnet. [Simon Dael – Imago]
A more complicated second half
The start of the second half saw the Scots more incisive, constantly carrying danger past the goal. This is how James Tavernier put the two teams tied in the 51st.
From that equalizer and with experience, Rangers dropped the game into a false rhythm, dangerous plays becoming rare on both sides and the Servettians appearing to be completely blunted physically.
This fatigue of the Garnets also resulted in a team no longer really managing to bring danger, except on a shot from Samba Diba in the 81st, just one minute after the Rangers and Cyriel Dessers found the Joel Mall post.
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Read also: “We can’t let such opportunities slip away” for René Weiler
