Rangers were made to regret set-piece struggles as PSV took advantage from two corners over the course of the 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
The Rood Witten were more physical and imposing than many would have expected as was fully evident for both of their goals. It was very disappointing on the night from a Rangers perspective, but there have been previous similar signals so far this season.
Definitely work to be done, as acknowledged by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The manager was quizzed on the zonal marking set-up and if a rethink would be required, but he stated that his team need to do much better:
“The first goal we had first contact. The ball stayed in the area which was unlucky. The second one, yeah, we need to defend stronger and make sure that we have the first contact.”
“We need to improve because next week they will be dangerous again at set-pieces. We have to improve every game we play.”
That has to be a priority and indeed could prove the difference between playing Champions League or Europa League group stage football over the coming months.
Plan
Meanwhile, PSV head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy intimated that work had been done on the training pitch in regard to set-pieces in both boxes, for the contest with Rangers:
“We looked at set pieces but not only that we actually prepared well for their set pieces because they’re a threat as well in the air. But we have great headers of the ball in our team and the delivery was good.”
“They attacked the spaces that we said before the game so they executed that well.”
They will rue the speculative Tom Lawrence free-kick that Walter Benitez fumbled over his own line, but they got their equaliser and a share of the spoils in the end.
No doubt they will look to step up preparations for the return game next week, but the Rangers coaches will also be busy on that matter.