German international Christian Nerlinger and substitute Peter Lovenkrands scored in a five-minute span in the second half as Scottish champion Rangers rallied to beat Stuttgart 2-1 in the Champions League yesterday.
German Kevin Kuranyi scored in the first half for Stuttgart, which hadn't conceded in five league games this season. The teams are in Group E, along with Manchester United and Panathinaikos.
Nerlinger, a former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund player, made the visitors pay for a defensive mistake in the 74th minute. With the ball loose in the Stuttgart penalty area following a free kick, Marcelo Bordon's clearance was blocked by teammate Fernando Meira. The ball fell to Nerlinger, who slotted past a stranded Timo Hildebrand.
Rangers are playing in Europe's premier club competition for the first time in three years.
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