How Concerned Should Rangers Be About Brann?

Match Preview: Brann vs. Rangers

Competition: Europa League
Matchup: Brann vs. Rangers
Location: Brann Stadion, Bergen
Date: Thursday, 23 October
Kick-off: 17:45 (BST)
Broadcast: Tune into match commentary on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds and follow live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Key Background

A year ago, a dramatic goal from Toyosi Olusanya allowed St Mirren to secure a draw against Brann in a Conference League qualifying match. The return leg saw St Mirren come close to extra time only to suffer a late defeat. Therefore, Rangers have previously dealt with tougher opposition than the third-ranked team in Norway’s Eliteserien.

Brann, who narrowly missed the Norwegian championship last season, are finding their footing in the Europa League for the first time since its rebranding. They started their campaign with a crucial home win against Utrecht, following a narrow loss in Lille. Rangers, under the new leadership of Danny Rohl, may be seen as a vulnerable opponent.

What Form Are Brann In?

Since their aggregate victory over St Mirren, Brann boasts an impressive record of 23 wins and six draws from their last 36 domestic league matches. However, despite this strong performance, they fell just three points short of winning their first league title since 2007.

Prior to this season, their last appearance in European competitions was during the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, where they were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Everton. This year, they encountered a challenging situation early, losing to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League playoffs but rebounding to secure their place in the Europa League by defeating Hacken and AEK Larnaca.

With 24 matches played in a 30-game regular season, they currently sit third, lagging behind Viking and reigning champions Bodo/Glimt. With a seven-point gap to the top, the title seems out of reach, but they have their sights set on advancing further in the Europa League, having earned three points from their opening two matches.

Key Players and Home Strength

The Europa League has recently offered some respite for Rangers, but this year, they are struggling in both domestic and European competitions. Under the previous management of Russell Martin, the team faced disappointing defeats at the hands of Genk and Sturm Graz, leaving them with zero points in their opening group matches. A win against Brann is essential for the Rangers, with Rohl focusing on immediate improvements.

Brann will be motivated, particularly since they enjoy a solid home record. They average 62% possession in league play, benefiting from the creativity of left-back Joachim Soltvedt, while top scorer Bard Finne has netted 11 goals this season. Recently, they secured a convincing 4-1 victory over FK Haugesund, with Finne contributing two goals, showcasing their formidable home advantage.

In their last seven home European matches, Brann has achieved five victories, including a notable win against Utrecht, marking a significant moment as their first major home European match in 17 years. They have only suffered one loss in 12 league games at home this season, further underscoring their strong form.

In stark contrast, Rangers have lost their last five matches in Europe, conceding a total of 14 goals in that span. Their only previous record of a longer losing streak came between September and November of 2022, during which they faced six straight defeats in the Champions League. However, they may find solace in the fact that they have yet to be defeated against Norwegian teams in their past four encounters, the latest being a 2-0 win over Molde in the 2006 UEFA Cup.

Conclusion

As Rangers gear up for this crucial encounter with Brann, concerns loom large. The Norwegian side’s recent form and successful home record could pose significant challenges for the Scottish outfit, who are desperate for a comeback after a shaky start to their European campaign. With the stakes high, all eyes will be on the match to see if Rangers can regain their footing or if Brann will continue their ascent in the Europa League.