Werkself through to quarter-finals with 1-0 win

"It wasn't all brilliant but there were some good moves," said the skipper Lars Bender after the final whistle. "It was important to get back on track and we succeeded in doing that."

The Werkself were back in action over a month after the DFB Cup final in Berlin – and the coach also faced a challenge. Mitchell Weiser, Kerem Demirbay (both suspended), Karim Bellarabi (muscular problem), Paulinho (torn cruciate) and Nadiem Amiri (in self isolation at home) were five players unavailable to Peter Bosz. The starting eleven included Exequiel Palacios and Florian Wirtz. It was the first appearance on the European stage for both players.

Early blow: Aránguiz booked and misses quarter-final

Both teams sent out a strong message before kick-off: All 22 players took the knee for several seconds to raise awareness of the Black Lives Matter campaign. Then the game kicked off at an empty BayArena – and the ball was soon heading towards the Rangers goal. The Werkself produced some attractive moves in the opening minutes and the first shot on goal came from Moussa Diaby (9').

Somewhat of a surprise: Kai Havertz started on the right wing with the European debutant Wirtz playing in the number 10 role. The Werkself youngster set up the next chance with a corner but a cheeky back-heel from Sven Bender was blocked (10'). The positive mood in the opening stages was quickly dulled: Charles Aránguiz was shown a yellow card for a sliding tackle in midfield and he is now suspended for the quarter-finals (15').

First the bar, then just wide: Havertz unlucky twice

There was no time to be annoyed and seconds later the Werkself provided the first highlight of the game: Kevin Volland received a pass from Lars Bender and laid the ball on to Kai Havertz who hit the bar with an excellent shot (16'). That effort definitely deserved a goal. The same applied shortly after that with a brilliant pass from Palacios into the feet of Havertz who was through on goal but he put his shot just wide of the right-hand post (22'). Even without taking the lead, the Werkself were in control of the game and they kept the Rangers attack at arm’s length with the defence led by the ever alert Sven Bender having few problems.

Bayer 04 again and again went on the attack: A long-range effort from Diaby went just over the bar (32') and the Frenchman then volleyed a delightful pass from Havertz over the top (38’). After one of the few attacks from the Scottish side, the Werkself mounted a lightning counter-attack down the left and the final shot from Wirtz from a good position was blocked by Filip Helander (43'). The Bosz team deserved to be in the lead at half-time but a low shot from Volland also went wide of the target (45') so the first 45 ended goalless.

Diaby converts perfect Aránguiz pass: Werkself take the lead

That quickly changed after the restart. Aránguiz produced a brilliant long ball over the Rangers defence to Diaby and he controlled the ball with his chest before firing it into the roof of the net – an outstanding goal on all levels (51'). Havertz almost doubled the lead straight away but Allan McGregor saved the shot with his foot (54').

For Rangers, who never really threatened the Werkself defence, the goal did not really change the overall situation – the Scots still required three goals but everybody watching was clear that Bayer 04 would go through to the next round. The Bosz eleven were too dominant and too commanding. The game eased off a little – and Peter Bosz opted to make a triple change: Lars Bender, Wirtz and Diaby were replaced by Aleksander Dragovic, Julian Baumgartlinger and Leon Bailey (68 ').

Stanilewicz also gets on

Then the Scots had their first chance on goal almost out of the blue – and were within a hair’s breadth of levelling the scores: A great free kick from Borna Barisic was misjudged by Lucas Hradecky allowing Connor Goldson to head the ball. But Edmond Tapsoba was on his toes and he pulled off an outstanding goal-line clearance (71'), and shortly after that, Aránguiz threw himself in front of a dangerous effort from substitute Greg Stewart (81'). In added time, Hradecky was called into action again to save a Barisic shot at the second attempt (90+2'). Bayer 04 had two shots late on from Bailey (85') and Havertz (87'). Good news at the end from a Werkself perspective: Adrian Stanilewicz replaced Palacios in the final minutes of the game for his second appearance for the first team.

Going through to the next round was never really in danger and Bayer 04 are now in the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since 2008. The Werkself will face Serie A runners-up Inter Milan in Düsseldorf on Monday night (21.00 CET) – albeit without Charles Aránguiz.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky – L. Bender (Dragovic 68'), S. Bender (Tah 77’), Tapsoba, Sinkgraven – Aránguiz, Palacios (Stanilewicz 87’) – Havertz, Wirtz (Baumgartlinger 68')) , Diaby (Bailey 68')) - Volland

Glasgow Rangers: McGregor - Tavernier (Patterson 77'), Goldson, Helander, Barisic - Davis (Jones 66') - Jack, Aribo - Barker (Hagi 61’), Morelos (Stewart 77'), Kent (Arfield 66'))

Goals: 1-0 Diaby (51’)

Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Booked: Aránguiz, Sinkgraven, Tah - Barker, Hagi