UEFA Europa League: Rangers draw 1-1 with FC Lugano in Switzerland

Swiss side take shock first-half lead but Van Bronckhorst's men recover

Alfredo Morelos' equaliser keeps Gers' unbeaten start to the season intact

Rangers came from behind to draw 1-1 with FC Lugano in their UEFA Europa League play-off first leg on Thursday night.

The Swiss side, who are 10th in the Swiss Super League, took a shock lead in the 12th minute through Alexander Gerndt.

However, Rangers levelled just before the break through Alfredo Morelos, who scored his fourth goal of the season.

Morelos rescues Rangers

Rangers made a bright start to the game and had a couple of good chances in the opening 10 minutes, but it was Lugano who took the lead against the run of play.

Gerndt, a former Rangers player, was given too much space in the box and he made no mistake with a powerful header.

However, Rangers responded well to going behind and they were level just before the break.

Morelos, who has been in excellent form this season, scored his fourth goal of the campaign with a clinical finish.

Van Bronckhorst frustrated

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was frustrated with his team's performance, but he was pleased with their response to going behind.

"We didn't start the game well and we conceded a soft goal," he said.

"However, we showed great character to come back into the game and I thought we were the better team in the second half."

Second leg to come

The second leg of the tie will be played at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday, August 25.

Rangers will be confident of progressing to the group stages of the Europa League, but they will need to improve their performance from the first leg.

Conclusion

Rangers' draw with FC Lugano was a disappointing result, but they will be confident of overturning the deficit in the second leg.

The Gers have a good record at Ibrox Stadium and they will be backed by a large and vocal crowd.

If Rangers can reproduce the form they showed in the second half of the first leg, then they should be able to book their place in the group stages of the Europa League.