UEFA EL PREVIEW : Rangers vs Villarreal

Posted Thursday, November 29, 2018 by PA

Steven Gerrard reckons Rangers’ Europa League rivals originally wrote off his side as easy meat – but the Ibrox boss insists they will not think that now.

Gers can take a step closer to the competition’s last 32 if they can sink Villarreal on Thursday night.

The Yellow Submarine thought they would have it so easy when they met in their Group G opener that coach Javier Calleja made nine changes to his side for the clash at El Madrigal.

But the Light Blues held their own as they claimed an impressive away point before going on to down Rapid Vienna at home.

Performances dipped when they managed just a point from their double-header with Spartak Moscow but they head into their rematch with the La Liga big guns just a point off the leaders.

And Gerrard believes there is little chance the Spaniards will be taking his side lightly this time.

He said: “There is certainly belief (in the team that we can make it to the last 32). When we played against Villarreal over there I thought we showed them too much respect in the first 45 minutes.

“But when we actually played with confidence and belief, we created a lot of problems.

“You know, I think we’ve been the surprise team in this group. I don’t think the opposition teams gave us much chance.

“So for us it was always about taking this group to the wire and that’s what we intend to do.

“I remember back to the draw. We were certainly the underdogs when the draw was made and I think the likes of Spartak and Villarreal probably saw us as comfortable opposition.

“So it’s credit to my players how well we’ve played in the competition so far. I think everyone’s aware of our threat now, so nobody will be taking us lightly.”

If Gers can get a result against Villarreal, they will head to their final game away to Rapid Vienna with a chance of securing European action past Christmas for the first time since 2011.

But defeat combined with a win for Spartak at home to the Austrians would mean it is all over for the Light Blues.

“Everyone knows quite obviously we can’t afford to lose this game,” said Gerrard. “But if we bring our A game and max out, I think we’re certainly capable of winning.

“Come the final whistle it’s crucial we don’t lose. The draw takes it to the wire – but we’re going to win it.”

Villarreal defender Alvaro Gonzalez is hoping his side take care of their Europa League business against Rangers so they can turn their attention back to their stuttering LaLiga form.

While the Yellow Submarine top Group G, they currently sit just three points above the relegation zone in their domestic league.

Boss Javier Calleja has come under pressure after leading his side to just four wins out of 18 games this term, but centre-back Gonzalez says victory over Gerrard’s side will allow his team to put all their efforts into their fight for survival back home.

“If we qualify then we can focus on the league for this month,” he said. “We can be a bit more calm and try to climb up the table, then after Christmas we can try to achieve all the aspirations we have.

“We know that Rangers have some players who play the typical British style but we have to show what we did when we won at home to Real Betis on Sunday. We believe in our play. We can cause Rangers problems and punish them.”

However, Calleja admits he is ready to rest some of his top stars against Gers.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Betis at El Madrigal was Villarreal’s first league win since September but the task will only get tougher this weekend with a trip to Barcelona beckoning.

Calleja said: “There will be changes because we have a difficult game on Saturday against Barcelona. Some people need rest so there will be changes to the team that played on Sunday.”