SBOTOP Brutal Brann Blow: Danny Röhl’s Rangers Crumble 3-0 in Europa League Opener Slip to Bottom of Group

It was supposed to be the dawn of a new era for Rangers — the first match under Danny Röhl, a manager whose reputation for meticulous detail and modern tactics had filled supporters with cautious optimism. But on a bitter night in Norway, the Gers were brought crashing back to reality. Brann, vibrant and ruthless, dismantled Rangers 3-0 in their Europa League opener, leaving Röhl with a painful introduction to life in charge of the Glasgow giants.

The result not only leaves Rangers rooted to the bottom of their group but also raises serious questions about their defensive structure, mentality, and readiness to adapt to Röhl’s high-pressing, possession-heavy philosophy. For the home side, however, it was a statement win — one that showcased their attacking flair, collective discipline, and growing belief that they can make a deep run in this European campaign.

A Cold Welcome for Röhl

When Danny Röhl walked out at Brann Stadion, he carried with him the burden of expectation. Hailed as one of the brightest young minds in European football, the 35-year-old German had been handed the task of revitalizing a Rangers side that had struggled for identity under previous management. But football, as ever, is a ruthless teacher.

Brann, cheered on by a lively Bergen crowd, immediately set the tempo. Their pressing was coordinated, their passing sharp, and their movement precise. Rangers, by contrast, looked disjointed. Röhl’s plan to build from the back and play through midfield was evident — but execution was sorely lacking. Inside the opening ten minutes, the warning signs were already flashing.

A loose pass from John Souttar allowed Brann’s Sivert Heltne Nilsen to pounce and release striker Bård Finne through on goal, only for Jack Butland to produce a vital early save. The reprieve was short-lived. Two minutes later, Brann won a corner, and the resulting delivery found the head of Fredrik Knudsen, whose towering effort cannoned off the crossbar. The home fans could sense blood.

Brann’s Breakthrough

Rangers’ resistance lasted just 18 minutes. The breakthrough came from the right wing, where Kasper Skaanes and Niklas Castro combined beautifully before the latter whipped in a low cross. Finne, ghosting between Souttar and Connor Goldson, met the delivery with a deft flick that beat Butland at the near post. 1-0 Brann — and fully deserved.

The goal exposed the fragility of Röhl’s defensive setup. Rangers’ full-backs were pushing high as part of the new system, but without proper coverage from midfield, the center-backs were left isolated. Brann exploited those gaps ruthlessly, transitioning from defense to attack with breathtaking speed.

Röhl, animated on the touchline, urged his team to settle into possession, but Rangers struggled to find rhythm. Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence looked off the pace in midfield, while Abdallah Sima — deployed as a false nine — was crowded out by Brann’s disciplined back line.

By the half-hour mark, frustration had begun to seep into the visitors’ play. Passes went astray, defensive communication faltered, and confidence drained. When Brann doubled their lead in the 34th minute, it was no surprise.

A long diagonal ball from Nilsen found Mathias Rasmussen in acres of space down the left. His first touch was sublime, his cross even better — curling into the path of Finne, who hammered home his second goal of the night. 2-0 Brann, and Rangers’ European hopes were already hanging by a thread.

Röhl’s Tactical Gamble Backfires

In fairness to Danny Röhl, his tactical intent was bold. The German sought to impose a modern, fluid structure on a team historically built for more direct football. His 4-2-3-1 system was designed to press high, recycle possession quickly, and create overloads in the final third.

But against Brann, the system was brutally exposed. The Norwegian side bypassed Rangers’ press with ease, exploiting the space behind the midfield. Nico Raskin and Cantwell were left chasing shadows, while Brann’s midfield trio of Nilsen, Castro, and Rasmussen dictated the tempo with calm assurance.

The decision to start Ben Davies over Leon Balogun also raised eyebrows. Davies, while comfortable in possession, struggled with the physicality of Brann’s forwards. Each long ball into the box caused chaos, and by halftime, the visitors looked utterly shell-shocked.

As the players trudged off at the break, the Rangers supporters who had made the long trip from Glasgow voiced their frustration. Röhl’s first 45 minutes in European competition had been a harsh lesson — one that underlined just how much work lies ahead.

The Turning Point That Never Came

Röhl reacted at halftime, introducing Kemar Roofe for Sima in an attempt to add a physical focal point up front. The change brought some immediate improvement. Rangers looked marginally more composed, keeping the ball longer and probing through the flanks. James Tavernier, often the team’s attacking outlet, began to push forward, delivering a few dangerous crosses into the area.

But for all their possession, the cutting edge was still missing. Brann’s defensive organization was outstanding — every gap closed, every second ball contested. And when Rangers did manage to create a clear chance, they were met by goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland, who produced a remarkable double save to deny both Roofe and Cantwell in the 56th minute.

Moments later, any faint hopes of a Rangers revival were extinguished. Brann caught them on the counterattack once again, and it was a goal that encapsulated everything that went wrong for the Scottish side.

A Rangers corner was cleared, and within seconds, Brann were racing down the pitch. Rasmussen fed Castro, who skipped past Davies and squared for substitute Magnus Warming. With the entire Rangers defense scrambling, Warming coolly slotted past Butland to make it 3-0. The home fans erupted — the noise deafening, the energy infectious.

A Night to Forget for Rangers

From that point on, it was damage limitation. Röhl looked crestfallen on the sidelines, aware that his tactical plan had unraveled completely. His players, to their credit, continued to fight, but it was clear the confidence had drained from them.

Tavernier and Barisic tried to inject urgency from the flanks, while Raskin and Lawrence pushed higher up, but every forward pass seemed to meet a wall of red shirts. Brann’s pressing remained relentless until the final whistle, and by the 80th minute, the home side were toying with their opponents — exchanging one-touch passes to the delight of the crowd.

Rangers’ body language told its own story. The usually vocal Tavernier was subdued, Cantwell cut a frustrated figure, and Goldson barked instructions to a team that seemed lost. The introduction of Scott Wright and Dujon Sterling in the closing stages changed little.

When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 3-0, and the damage was undeniable. For Brann, it was a famous victory — one that will live long in the memories of their supporters. For Rangers, it was a humbling defeat that exposed the gulf between potential and execution under their new manager.