Probably the most unexpected but exciting battle is on the cards as Eintracht Frankfurt meets Rangers FC at the Sanchez Pizjuan for this season’s UEFA Europa League final. Both sides gained remarkable achievements in the tournament to get to this stage. This is a final of dreams with two underdogs going against each other for continental success.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s men toppled RB Leipzig to book their spot while their opposition from Bundesliga got better of another competition favourite in West Ham in the semifinals of the competition. Domestic season has ended for both the clubs this weekend with Frankfurt finishing eleventh and Rangers ending as runners-up in their respective league tables.
SGE vs RAN Europa League Final Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 18th May 2022/ Thursday, 19th May 2022
Time: 21:00 (CEST)/ 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Estadio Ramos Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville
SGE vs RAN Europa League Final Match Preview
The thing Frankfurt are optimistic about is that they have gone through the entire competition unscratched, not losing a single game in the 12 games played so far. They have found the back of the net in each of those games too. Under Oliver Glasner, the Eagles have become a perfect tournament side. While it has not worked well in the Bundesliga with winning this trophy only guaranteeing them to be in Europe next season, the boys have served the Austrian’s instruction by the teeth at the continental level. Whether founding a late winner in extra-time against Betis or eliminating a powerhouse like Barcelona, Frankfurt’s story in this competition has been a fairytale. Their high press, waterproof defense combined with a fierce counter-attacking style of football has left opponents out of options to halt them. Facing West Ham in the last four was a big task to complete but for a team that piled misery on the Catalan giants and took Chelsea to a shootout at this stage back in 2019, this became a commitment. The 2-1 win away in the first leg was an important result to take and with the Hammers a man down inside 16 minutes nobody could have stopped Frankfurt from progressing to the ultimate stage 3-1 on aggregate. Now, Die Adler stands a chance to end their long 42 years of trophy drought in European competition. Their opposition have also faced a similar route to the showpiece this season.
Scottish giants Rangers made history as they reached a European final for the first time since 2008 by downing RB Leipzig in front of an electrifying Ibrox Stadium. Like Frankfurt, few could have predicted the Gers to make it to the main stage let alone beat the likes of Dortmund along the way despite suffering five defeats in the Europa League this season. Their fairytale in this contest is more absorbing. Rangers finished second to Lyon and just a point above Sparta Prague to secure qualification from the group stage before they have to face Dortmund in a daunting clash which they remarkably passed with flying colours winning 6-4 on aggregate. Red Star and Braga proved to be tricky in the next rounds but they fought their way through even at a time when Christopher Nkunku’s strike threatened their stay in the tournament. John Lundstram made sure it wasn’t the case sending Rangers to dreamland. Fans would have liked their club to defend their record-breaking league title after a long wait last season but are jubilant to see them in a major final in what has been a great period for the faithful. It is time for Rangers to offer their fans more joy by winning the Europa League trophy for the first time and celebrate their 150-year anniversary in a fascinating way.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Frankfurt: DDWLW
Rangers: WWWWD
SGE vs RAN Europa League Final Team News
It is being reported that Jesper Lindstorm will be available for the clash after casting a doubt due to his hamstring injury that has kept him out for four games. He was involved in the training session and was part of the group one day before the final. Martin Hinteregger will be out for the rest of the season with the hamstring injury he picked up in the eight-minute of the semifinal second leg causing a huge loss in the defense. However, Evan N’Dicka is fit for the game following an injury scare in the last game of the Bundesliga season. Diant Ramaj and Danny da Costa miss out.
Rangers is sweating over the fitness of Kemar Roofe as the lone number nine in doubt for the clash. The Jamaican hasn’t featured since last month through a knee injury at a time when he was in a hot scoring form. Alfredo Morelos has already been ruled out of the season as is Filip Helander with a thigh and a foot injury respectively. Ianis Hagi, son of legendary footballer Gheorghe Hagi who won this competition as UEFA Cup back then with Galatasaray in 2000, seem to have returned from a serious knee injury in January but has not been registered to play.
SGE vs RAN Europa League Final Expected Lineups
Frankfurt: Kevin Trapp; Almamy Toure, Evan N’Dicka, Tuta, Ansgar Knauff, Djibril Sow, Sebastian Rode, Filip Kostic, Jens Peter Hauge, Rafael Borre, Daichi Kamada
Rangers: Allan McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack, Scott Wright, Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent
SGE vs RAN Europa League Final Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Trapp (9)
DEF: Taverniar (9.5), N’Dicka (8.5), Goldson (9), Tuta (8.5)
MID: Kamara (8.5), Lundstram (9), Kamada (9.5), Kostic (10)
FW: Knauff (9), Kent (9.5)
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
