RANGERS v PARMA

We lost 2-0!! Goals from Vidmar and Reyna on 33' and 75'

There's not too much to say really! We were not bad; we were quite good in fact - but it was too early in the season (well, not the season for us); we had no strikers and certain players let us down stinking! This is not to say that Rangers were lucky - no, they played well - but timing and injuries really did not help our cause, as I'd feared.

Player number 1 to let us down - Ortega. He spent all his time either standing still or rolling on his bum. This particular example happened after total non-contact with Amoruso We don't want this view of you all the time, Ariel. We want you to work! He was subbed on 38', to make way for Torrisi - because of "player number 2 to let us down's" actions!

And "player number two to let us down"? Why, Cannavaro!! We really didn't need this, Fabio!

Fabio's first yellow card: a reckless tackle on Wallace on 15 minutes.	Fab's second - a stupid push on Wallace when Thuram already had things covered, (See the superimposing?!?)	"Off my lad!" (on 26 minutes)	Fabio looks indignant, but he only has himself to blame.	Cannot forgive you for that Fab - it was stupid!

Shortly after this, and before Malesani had put on Torrisi to replace Cannavaro (don't know why he took so long), Tony Vidmar scored for Rangers.

(Pictures from Rai's website)

Rats!! The score remained 1-0 at half-time, thanks to a splendid save by Buffon on 44'

Second half: I thought we played well - I really did! We were getting more and more into the game. Fuser came on for Baggio on 60' and we worked really hard, especially Vanoli, who had a splendid game, particularly in the second half, when he was pushed forward more. Di Vaio was also quite good - proving that he is willing to work hard for the team. (He picked up a slight injury but lasted until 85', when he was replaced by Stanic.) On 70', he had an excellent chance, but fluffed it. Then, on 72', Klos made a great save from Boghossian. It looked like we would equalise at any minute. Then this happened!

(Pictures from Rai's website)

Claudio Reyna!! Why'd it have to be him???

So, we were now 2-0 down, but we really battled hard until the end of the game - again, Vanoli playing majestically.

In praise of Vanoli Who was Parma's best player (along with Thuram). Worked his socks off!	And he frightened the daylights out of Reyna, when he confronted him after a tackle, which is deserving of special mention!!

My Rangers Daffs! Amoruso had a good game.	Whilst Mols was pretty ineffectual.

However, despite all our efforts, the game finished 2-0. It's very disappointing. We have so much to do at the Tardini, and I don't have too much hope that we'll succeed. Yes, we can make excuses for the timing of the game; but I think our loss came down to two things. Cannavaro's sending-off and our lack of fire-power. It's no use grumbling about Amoroso and Crespo's injuries; the fact is that we do not have adequate cover up front. We cannot hope to do well in the Italian league; let alone the Champions League - until we spend out a bit more money! But that's just my opinion. Still, here's to two weeks' time!!

Yes, Gigi! This says it all!!

Teams

Rangers: Klos; Porrini, Amoruso, Moore, Vidmar (Albertz 58); Reyna, Ferguson, Van Bronkhorst; Wallace, Mols, McCann. Booked: Amoruso, Albertz, Porrini.

Parma: Buffon; Sartor, Thuram, Cannavaro; Serena, Boghossian, Walem, Baggio, (Fuser 60) Vanoli; Ortega (Torrisi 38), di Vaio. Booked: Cannavaro, Boghossian. Sent off: Cannavaro.

Referee: J-M Garcia-Aranda Encinar (Spain).

(The "Tellytubbies" background is an attempt to take the reality of this away!).

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