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“One against one” – Gio finds Sakala solution by releasing the handbrake

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It was a solution that many Rangers supporters weren’t expecting but in Fashion Sakala, Rangers have evidenced an asset to utilise in the problem right wing position.

By going back to basics, with wingers on both sides of the attack, Rangers gave St Mirren something else to think about and reaped the rewards. The handbrake was off as the hosts attempted to maximise the majority of possession and turn that into goals.

On Saturday, Giovanni van Bronckhorst opted for Fashion Junior on the right with Rabbi Matondo on the left following on from their productive late cameos at Anfield last week. The Zambian took full advantage of his opportunity whereas the Welshman wasn’t quite as prominent but still managed to ping a fierce shot off the post in the second half.

Sakala used his pace to great advantage, particularly in the second half but more than that, he occupied a very wide position all game. By getting the white chalk on his boots, it freed up the space for James Tavernier to have an inverted role in getting forward. Ultimately, it worked as evidenced by the third and fourth goals.

He has hardly been seen on the pitch this season so far, but Sakala was called upon against Liverpool and now he is right back in the picture. He admitted that it took a while to fully get into the game but he exploded into life in style, playing in Colak for his second as well as a lovely run and finish for the final goal of the game.

The Rangers Review set out this issue in much greater detail as well as quoting Gio on the plan:

“Normally we have some different approaches to play against a team who is very deep with five defenders. Today I decided to play with two natural wingers with one-against-one possibilities and speed.”

As we know all too well by now, that flexibility and pragmatism in GvB as a coach can find answers when required but an undoubted strength is also a source of weakness from time to time.

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