PSV vs Rangers: No UCL for Dessers as Morocco's Saibari cooks Gers in landmark tie

Ismael Saibari and Cyriel Dessers. (Photo Credit: PSV, Rangers/X. Collage/Pulse Sports)

PSV vs Rangers: No UCL for Dessers as Morocco's Saibari cooks Gers in landmark tie

Izuchukwu Akawor 21:58 - 30.08.2023

It was a demolition job for PSV led by Ismael Saibari against Cyriel Dessers and Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers.

There was no hiding place for Nigeria Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and his Rangers teammates after they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League

Rangers suffered humiliation at the Philips Stadion as their hosts PSV Eindhoven thrashed them 5-1 during their second leg tie in the final qualifying round to qualify for the Champions League group stages on Wednesday.

PSV were inspired by Moroccan youngster Ismael Saibari who was the obvious man of the match as they sent Rangers packing following a 7-2 aggregate victory.

Saibari outshines Dessers

The 22-year-old was one of the most outstanding performers on the night for the home side.

After both sides played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Ibrox last weekend, the second leg was anyone’s game with both sides looking to go through.

Ismael Saibari
Morocco's Isamel Saibari was too hot for Rangers to handle. (Photo Credit: PSV/X)

The Gers started brilliantly and looked good in the opening quarter, but fell like a pack of cards to the Saibari-inspired home side who took over proceedings thereafter. 

The Moroccan forward netted two of the goals in either half, alongside other scorers on the night, Luuk de Jong, Joey Veerman and Connor Goldson, to lead PSV to the lucrative group stages.

Dessers
Cyriel Dessers had zero attempts on goal in the game. (Photo Credit: Rangers/X)

He also created five chances, and made five key passes, with 100 per cent of his passes on target. 

It was an excellent display from the North African who outshone fellow African and Nigeria’s Dessers on the night.

Dessers failed to register a single shot attempt during his just over an hour on the pitch before he was subbed off.

What the win means

PSV’s win means they have now ended a poor run against the Gers, who were unbeaten against their Dutch counterparts since 2011. 

African connection, Ibrahim Sangare of Ivory Coast (R), Saibari (m) and Johan Bakayoko of PSV. (Photo Credit: PSV/X)

Also, PSV celebrated their 200th match in European competitions with an emphatic display and win that fired them into the Champions League group stages.

For Dessers and Rangers, they will console themselves with a ticket to UEFA’s second-tier competition, the Europa League.   

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