Rangers crashed out of the UEFA Cup on penalties after Dortmund squared the 1st-leg deficit with two goals, including an injury time equaliser. In an enthralling and thoroughly absorbing encounter against the former European champions, Rangers slumped to yet more disappointment despite a spirited display.
Having taken a two-goal advantage to Germany, Dortmund fought back bravely to deny Rangers the chance of progressing to the fourth-round after substitute Bobic grabbed a dramatic late equaliser in normal time. Extra-time followed but Rangers failed to find a way through a stubborn and resolute German outfit. To add yet more drama Rangers missed three times from the spot, with Claudio Reyna's last and decisive miss proving fatal.Tense, nerve-wracking and with all the ingredients of a classic Cup clash, Rangers fought valiantly to enhance their European credentials but, ultimately, were the victims of their own inability to kill off top-flight opposition.
Indeed, their hopes of progressing were left hanging by the thread after Nigerian striker Ikpeba halved the treble-winners' deficit with a headed goal as early as the 28th minute. The Rangers' rearguard failed to pick the livewire up from a corner and he made no mistake from close range. Rangers started promisingly enough with some bright and inventive forward play while the German club looked nervy, cautious and reluctant to commit. Dick Advocaat was handed a pre-match boost with Claudio Reyna and Jorg Albertz taking their place in the starting line-up after both had recovered from ankle injuries. Rod Wallace, who had been struggling to overcome a hamstring problem, was also included with Neil McCann his partner up front. Dortmund, without a win in 10 games, were without a number of established first-team players including Jurgen Kohler, Andreas Moller, Guiseppe Reina and Evanilison. The home side could have taken a should lead in the fifth minute but there claims for a penalty, when Christian Nerlinger claimed he was being held by Arthur Numan, were dismissed.Minutes later, Neil McCann found space wide on the left but his dangerous low cross was comfortably held by Lehmann despite the greasy surface.Stefan Reuter was quick to respond, though, but his venomous left-footed drive from the edge of the box smashed against the side netting.
Rangers again escaped danger on 13 minutes with Ikpeba's cross-cum-shot ran under Amoruso's foot but, thankfully, evaded the on-rushing Heiko Herrlich. Myhre was then called into action to prevent a fierce Nerlinger drive handing Dortmund the lead.
Rangers showed ambition and purpose going forward but struggled to penetrate a well-marshalled and well-disciplined Dortmund defence. Ikpeba almost grabbed himself a brace on 33 minutes but his exquisite lob fell just wide of Myhre's post.
Numan then squandered a golden opportunity to extend the aggregate when he mis-hit an attempted long-range strike on goal.
And it was the visitors who headed for the interval under a barrage of pressure with Dortmund piling forward in waves.
The match also threatened to boil over when Amoruso was bundled to the ground by Heiko Herrlich as they challenged for the ball. Players from both sides rushed to the scene and Ikpeba then became involved in a pushing match with Amoruso before Herrlich was eventually booked. The last telling chance of the first-half fell to Miroslav Stevic who tested Myhre with a powerful shot but the Norwegian gathered safely. The second-half introduction of Gordon Durie - on for Albertz - appeared to lift Rangers' spirit and Dick Advocaat's tactical switch almost paid dividends. On 50 minutes, Durie flicked a delightful through ball on for the advancing Wallace but he failed to connect and the chance went begging. Minutes later, Neil McCann beat several defenders before unleashing a powerful shot but he too failed to find the target. At the other end Amoruso twice prevented Dortmund levelling the tie, the latter when he frantically cleared off the line with his head. McCann again declined an offer to put the contest beyond Dortmund's reach when through on goal he somehow managed to lose control. And with home side desperate to find an equaliser, gaps in the Dortmund rearguard became increasingly apparent.But, amazingly, in the third minute of injury time, Rangers again paid the price for failing to clear their lines when, after a frantic goalmouth scramble, substitute Bobic drilled the ball home to the absolute despair of the visitors.
Bobic wasted a golden chance on 97 minutes to grab a brace when he lifted the ball high over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Minutes later, McCann and Ferguson combined to squander the chance to restore Rangers' lead when a dangerous Kanchelskis cross evaded the on-rushing pair. Nerves followed both sides into the second phase of extra time and, consequently, chances were at a premium although Amoruso attempted to break the net with a thunderous right-footed free-kick. The heartache of penalties arrived soon after and, with Van Bronckhorst, Numan and Reyna all missing from 12-yards, Rangers crashed honourably but disappointingly out of Europe.
