Ten-man Rangers had been left looking for their first Champions League level after a 3-0 defeat by Napoli at Ibrox, the place penalties had been the turning level of the sport.
Returning goalkeeper Allan McGregor sensationally saved a retaken Piotr Zielinksi spot-kick on the hour after Gers defender James Sands was despatched off conceding it, earlier than he was crushed from 12 yards within the 67th minute by Matteo Politano.
Giacomo Raspadori added a second with 5 minutes remaining and fellow substitute Tanguy Ndombele grabbed a 3rd in added time to compound Gers’ distress
The Light Blues misplaced 4-0 to Ajax final week after taking place by the identical rating in opposition to Celtic at Parkhead of their earlier match.
However, they confirmed the specified spirit and willpower in opposition to the stylish Serie A leaders earlier than developing quick once they went right down to 10 males.
Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst had vowed to stay to his footballing philosophy after two heavy defeats, however he rang the modifications from Amsterdam – one enforced as 40-year-old McGregor returned in aim for the injured Jon McLaughlin.
Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos, not too long ago not noted of the squad by means of health points and angle, made his first begin since March, whereas Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield got here into midfield with John Lundstram dropping again to a five-man defence.
Against UEFA directions, followers had been invited to sing the nationwide anthem after the minute’s silence to commemorate the demise of Queen Elizabeth and so they belted it out.
Then got here a pulsating first half.
Morelos got here shut within the first minute with a glancing header from a James Tavernier cross.
Napoli responded rapidly and Zielinksi hammered a left-footed shot off the skin of a publish from the sting of the field.
In the twelfth minute a strong Arfield drive from 25 yards was crushed away by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret for a nook which got here to nothing, earlier than McGregor denied Giovanni Simeone along with his leg on the different finish.
It was breathless stuff.
With no away followers current attributable to policing points following the demise of the Queen, the house supporters had the stadium to themselves and had been virtually off their seats when Morelos, booked earlier by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for a late problem on Meret, fired in low from the sting of the field however the keeper gathered confidently.
Napoli, busy and strong, posed a relentless menace and Georgia worldwide Khvicha Kvaratskhelia flashed a drive inches extensive from the sting of the field simply earlier than the interval.
McGregor punched away an angled drive from Kvaratskhelia shortly after the restart after which Politano shot extensive from 20 yards.
Then got here the insanity.
As Simeone raced clear by means of on aim he was tackled by back-tracking Sands, who had been booked simply three minutes earlier for a foul on Politano, with Lundstram additionally in attendance.
Referee Mateu Laho produced a second yellow after which purple to ship the USA worldwide packing.
McGregor brilliantly saved Zielinski’s penalty however Politano slammed the rebound by means of the keeper’s legs.
However, after a prolonged VAR examine the penalty needed to be retaken for encroachment and McGregor once more dived to his proper to parry Zielinski’s spot-kick and Ibrox erupted.
However, one other Napoli penalty arrived when left-back Borna Barisic was adjudged to have dealt with a drive from Kvaratskhelia and this time Politano discovered the underside nook.
It was then an uphill process for Rangers.
McGregor saved a drive from Zielinski as Napoli took full management however with 5 minutes remaining Raspador mixed with fellow substitute Mathias Olivera and knocked in a second earlier than Ndombele struck from 14 yards in added time for a 3rd.
PA
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk