Frankfurt to win first European trophy in 42 years
Sevilla's Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium is the venue for the 2021/2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Glasgow Rangers on Wednesday evening. Die Adler last won a continental trophy two generations ago in 1980, and have a first-ever participation in the Champions League as an additional prize should they overcome their Scottish opponents. Gio van Bronckhort's charges have had to settle for second in the SPFL behind hated rivals Celtic, but have had far more success and wider attention elsewhere as their European adventure has continued against the odds. Read our preview here:
Daichi-ban!
Oliver Glasner's troops have dumped out the likes of Barcelona, West Ham United, and Real Betis en route to the final, and have done so without even losing a single leg or match in the group stage. Understandably with the relative lack of resources at the club, this affected their Bundesliga performance, and a finish of 11th was closer in points to the relegation zone than it was a European place. Nevertheless, some of their players have saved their best for the bigger stages, and that's certainly true of Japanese attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada. The 25 year old has managed to score more in the Europa League than he did in domestic competition this term, including a crucial strike at the London Stadium. Centre-back Evan Ndicka is a doubt after picking up a knock at the weekend.
Silver or Goldson
The Bears have only won one away game in the competition, albeit that was saved for their most impressive result - a 4-2 triumph at Borussia Dortmund. Indeed, van Bronckhorst's side lost three legs to Crvena zvezda, Braga, and RB Leipzig respectively, only for the partisan atmosphere at Ibrox to roar them onto victory. A 5-4-1 is likely to be deployed for the showdown match, with a real paucity of options up top. Joe Ayodele-Aribo will need regular support from out wide to avoid cutting a very lone furrow, whilst the efforts of Connor Goldson at the heart of the backline will go a long way to determining the outcome.
Betting tip
No matter who wins, it will be a magnificent achievement for either team to lift the trophy. Frankfurt used to be regulars in Europe in the 1970s, but have never been in the top competition's current format. Rangers are much more regularly featured there, but rarely reach the group stage. With the lack of fit forwards they have in their ranks, this final could come at the wrong time for the Glasgow outfit. Parimatch have odds of 2.30 for Frankfurt to win within normal time.
