Benfica failed to recover from the 5-0 defeat against title rival FC Porto last weekend. Coach Roger Schmidt's team once again failed to convince and did not get further than a 2-2 draw against Rangers FC at home. The return at Ibrox takes place next week.

Schmidt chose to position Fredrik Aursnes in the left back position. The Norwegian has played there regularly since his arrival from Feyenoord. Another former Feyenoord player, Orkun Kökçü, would sit on the bench for the entire match. David Neres was the right winger, while à ngel Di MarÃa was on the left. At Rangers there were starting places for ex-Eredivisionists Cyriel Dessers and Fábio Silva.

Because Mohammed Diomandé took far too long to decide what he wanted to do with the ball, Neres got the first opportunity in Estádio da Luz. The Brazilian shot hard with the left towards the short corner, where Jack Butland was just able to get a hand behind it.

Diomandé did make an excellent move a little later on the left side of the field. The Ivorian gave a good pass to Lawrence, who finished just as well with a header in the short corner: 0-1.

Rangers dropped back and kept it compact at the back. Benfica was initially unable to achieve much. For example, an unconvincing free kick from Di MarÃa went wide a few meters. Moments later, the Argentinian star player accepted a beautiful pass from Neres in the box and fell just short of getting a good shot. Di MarÃa claimed a foul, which there was none.

Just before half time, Benfica finally got what it hoped for. Harry Souttar made hands and after VAR interference the ball hit the spot. Di MarÃa took responsibility and after Jack Butland was booked for wasting time, the Benfica attacker shot through the middle: 1-1.

That seemed to be the end of the day, but that was not the case. Fábio Silva gave a sharp cross and after the ball ended up at the far post through a jungle of players, it was Dujon Sterling who escaped from the back of Aursnes and finished: 1-2.

Benfica was unable to get past the Scottish defense for a long time in the second half. The own goal by Connor Goldson, who 'beautifully' headed the ball into his own goal, was very timely for the Portuguese: 2-2. Di MarÃa should then have made it 3-2. The veteran received the ball in front of his good left, but did not hit the ball well and saw the ball roll over the back line. Benfica could not push through, while Rangers kept it closed and can attack at home next week.

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