Rangers suffer in Europa League opener as Genk capitalize after Diomande red

Rangers endured a difficult start to their Europa League campaign at Ibrox as Genk took control after Mohamed Diomande was sent off four minutes before half-time, leaving the home side to play with 10 men. The red card reshaped the match and, despite moments of resilience, Rangers would ultimately lose the opening group game as Genk capitalized on the numerical advantage and controlled the tempo after the break.

Rangers were second best for long spells, showing a fragile defensive shape and wayward possession that rarely threatened Genk's goal. Djeidi Gassama offered the occasional burst on the left, but the visitors were more incisive with the ball and created the clearest moments. Genk had a sitter, hit the post, and had a penalty saved by Jack Butland before the break, while Rangers were repeatedly dragged into passive, hesitant phases. Diomande's red card further damaged the hosts' chances and left them facing a steep climb after the interval.

Rangers' performance left manager Russell Martin under renewed scrutiny from supporters, with boos becoming a familiar soundtrack and a sense of apathy described around the stands. About 12,000 tickets remained unsold, and the directors' box showed a stony-faced mood as chairman Andrew Cavenagh and chief executive Patrick Stewart watched a reaction that hinted at doubts about the direction of the squad and the money spent in the transfer window. While the club’s leadership publicly backs the manager, the night underscored broader concerns about whether the recruitment and planning are delivering progress.

Genk, coached by Thorsten Fink, were quicker to impose themselves on the ball and used the space Rangers offered to attack with intent. The visitors have had a lean run of their own, with only one win in five going into the match, but they looked settled and ambitious on the ball, contrasting with Rangers’ cautious, sometimes labored approach. The night highlighted a disconnect between the club’s status as a high-spending project and the immediate effectiveness of the product on the pitch. For Rangers, the lack of incisiveness in attack persisted even when a man advantage existed, with Youssef Chermiti up front for long stretches but few clear opportunities created.

Rangers’ net spend this summer has been reported around £21 million, a figure that includes loan payments and transfer fees. Chermiti, a 21-year-old striker signed from Everton for about £8 million, started but did not receive a meaningful chance to impact the game, underscoring the challenge of converting investment into consistent attacking threat. The match offered a stark reminder that despite sizeable outlays, the team has yet to establish a clear, productive identity that can translate into results in Europe.

With a trip to Livingston on Sunday, Rangers face another stern test against a canny, physical opponent on a home pitch that can amplify pressure. The fixture will be closely watched for signs of adaptation and resilience from a squad still seeking coherence across competitions and a fanbase hungry for progress. For Genk, the win suggested momentum restoration as they return to the conveyor belt of their tightly run campaign, aiming to build on this efficient performance away from home.