Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers news: Once in a generation opportunity for two footballing stalwarts
- Seb Sternik
- 17 May 2022
For two clubs who share 273 years of combined history, European honours have been hard to come by. Rangers and Eintracht will both be looking to change that in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
Almost every season, Europe's second tier club competition has been overlooked by a majority of the football fraternity. However, this year, things have certainly been different.
With the likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund participating in the knockout stages, and with clubs such as West Ham enjoying long-lasting runs, the Europa League has become… well… interesting.
One major factor behind the rejuvenation of interest in the competition is the intriguing final line-up.
Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt have never been major European superpowers, but they're both as traditional of football clubs as you can possibly get.
With over 270 years of history between them, an enormously dedicated fanbase behind them, and a hunger for international success ready to be satisfied, Wednesday's showpiece should make for a once in a generation occasion.
When: Wednesday, May 18, 20:00 BST
Where: Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla
Where to watch: BT Sport
Who is the ref for Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers?
Slovenian official Slavko Vincic will take charge of proceedings in Seville.
His appointment may not be a great omen for Rangers, considering the 42-year-old refereed the club's 2-1 defeat to Malmo in August - a loss which prevented the Scots from qualifying for the Champions League.
European competition stats 2021/22: Matches (10), yellow cards (33), red cards (3), penalties (1)
Recent form
Rangers arrive in Spain in solid form. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have won eight of their last 10 competitive games, including all of their last four.
Despite this, the big worry for the Scots is their away form. Rangers have lost their last three away games in the Europa League, and they managed a mere one away win throughout their entire European campaign.
Eintracht Frankfurt, on the other hand, have endured a string of unfavourable results.
The German outfit won just three of their last 14 games in all competitions, with all those victories coming in the Europa League.
In fact, Eintracht haven't won a game in a domestic competition since early March - a 2-1 win over Bochum in the Bundesliga.
Last time out
Rangers 3-6 Eintracht Frankfurt (European Cup - May 5, 1960)
The one previous competitive tie between these clubs took place in 1960 when they clashed in the European Cup semi-final.
Rangers, who were the favourites, severely underestimated their opponents and were punished in the opening leg with a 6-1 thrashing in Germany.
The Scottish outfit didn't appear to learn many lessons, considering the Gers suffered a 6-3 hammering in the second leg too.
Frankfurt went on to lose the final against Real Madrid - a fixture which took place at Hampden Park, in Glasgow.
This season's Europa League record:
Frankfurt total games played: 12
Rangers total games played: 14
Frankfurt wins: 7
Rangers wins: 6
Frankfurt defeats: 0
Rangers defeats: 5
Frankfurt goals scored: 19
Rangers goals scored: 23
Managers' thoughts:
Ahead of the final,
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said "It feels really good. To reach a final is always a good feeling, but you will have a better feeling if you win the final, that's all we have to do.
"We haven't achieved anything yet; I think we deserve to be in the final, but I also know that we have to give another good performance on the night to get the trophy.
"They say it's 50/50 because it can go either way, but I'm confident that we can put on a performance to give us the best possibility to win it.
Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner on the challenge of facing Rangers: "Every team that gets to the final has earned it because it's a long road: you have to win a lot of matches. In Borussia Dortmund and Leipzig, Rangers eliminated two top teams from the Bundesliga over two legs.
"That shows they're very good and also shows they're well equipped for German football, so I'm expecting a very even, hard-fought contest. Both teams are very physical; British football is very physical."
Predicted Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers teams
Eintracht lost a key member of their defence in Martin Hinteregger during the semi-final with West Ham. The player is out of contention with a thigh injury and is likely to be replaced by Almamy Toure.
In better news for the Germans, Evan Ndicka - who taken off early against Mainz - is expected to be available.
Rangers, in contrast, will be without Filip Helander, Alfredo Morelos and Iania Hagi.
In a late boost, Kemar Roofe will be at Van Bronckhort's disposal. Joe Aribo and Ryan Jack are also understood to be available.
Possible Eintracht Frankfurt starting line-up: Trapp; Toure, Ndicka, Tuta; Knauff, Sow, Rode, Kostic; Kamada, Hauge; Borre
Possible Rangers starting line-up: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Kamara, Lundstram, Jack; Kent, Aribo, Wright
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers prediction
Before the Europa League campaign got underway this season, both Eintracht and Rangers were low on the favourites list - with the German outfit priced at 28/1 and the Scots way down at 50/1.
Both clubs have waited many decades for a European honour, and it's likely that their desperation - and the weight of expectations - will force a closely contested finale.
Ultimately, we're backing Rangers to pull off a Spanish miracle and lift their first continental title since 1972, when club legend John Grieg got his hands on the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in Barcelona.
