Jon Dahl Tomasson’s career as Blackburn Rovers‘ manager got off to a winning start as they beat Queens Park Rangers at home 1-0 on matchday one of the 2022-23 EFL Championship. Lewis Travis scored the only goal of the game from 25 metres out in the 34th minute of the match.
Blackburn Rovers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thomas Kaminski was the goalkeeper for Blackburn and in front of him was a back-four of Callum Brittain on the right, Daniel Ayala and Scott Wharton in the middle, and Harry Pickering on the left. The double pivot in midfield was captain and goalscorer Lewis Travis, and John Buckley. The three attackers between the midfield and the striker were Sam Gallagher, Ryan Hedges and Ben Brereton Diaz. Jack Vale was the lone striker. QPR set up in a 4-3-2-1 formation. In goal was Seny Dieng, who was supported by Osman Kakay, Robert Dickie, Jake Clarke-Slater and Kenneth Paal. The midfield quintet consisted of Andre Dozzell, skipper Stefan Johansen, Samuel Field, Olamide Shodipo and Ilias Chair; the latter two were in an advanced position. Lyndon Dykes functioned as the lone striker up top.
Both Blackburn and QPR had equal possession. Rovers attempted more shots and had more of them on target, with nine attempts and four hitting the target. The hosts also had two shots blocked. They had six corners to QPR’s none. They also committed more fouls than the visitors. Both teams received one booking each; both were caught offside three times each. One of QPR’s shot attempts hit the woodwork. Blackburn tried more shots from both inside and outside the box. The QPR keeper, Dieng, made three saves in the match.
Blackburn Rovers attempted two more passes (531) than QPR (529). But the visitors completed more passes (430) than the Rovers (425). The hosts, though, completed more long balls than their opponents. Both the teams could make only one cross in the entire game. Blackburn completed more dribbles and had a higher success rate than QPR. They also committed more turnovers but won fewer duels than QPR. Rovers won more than two and a half times the number of aerial duels over their opponents. QPR won more tackles, interceptions and clearances in this match.
Blackburn Rovers will be hoping to continue the positive start to their campaign when they visit Swansea City on 6th August. Meanwhile, QPR will want to get their first win of the season when they host Middlesbrough on the same day.
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