Philippe Clement Lauds Rangers' Effort Despite Europa League Exit To Benfica

Rangers manager Philippe Clement expressed pride in his team's performance despite a narrow defeat to Benfica, which saw them exit the Europa League. The Light Blues had previously secured a 2-2 draw in Lisbon, positioning them favorably for the quarter-finals. However, a counter-attack led by Rafa Silva resulted in the only goal of the second leg at Ibrox, sealing Rangers' fate.

Clement highlighted the improved gameplay from his team compared to their first encounter with Benfica, praising their ability to elevate their performance against a team with a significantly larger budget. Despite this, he acknowledged missed opportunities and the decisive moment that led to Benfica's goal. The goal came from a Rangers corner, with Silva capitalizing on a headed ball from Angel Di Maria after a quick break.

The Rangers manager pointed out a critical mistake that allowed Benfica to score, attributing it to a lapse in judgment by Mohamed Diomande, who was playing at this level for the first time. Clement defended his team's setup at corners, suggesting that while the goal conceded was due to an error, it did not reflect a broader issue with their strategy.

As the match progressed, Rangers found it challenging to create scoring opportunities. Clement admitted that injuries had impacted the team's performance, noting the difficulty in expecting immediate contributions from players returning from long absences, like Todd Cantwell. Despite these challenges, Clement remains focused on rebuilding and strengthening the squad for future competitions.

The defeat marks an end to Rangers' journey in this season's Europa League. However, Clement's reflections on the match and his forward-looking statements indicate a resolve to overcome current challenges and prepare for upcoming fixtures with an improved and healthier squad.