Rangers are on the hunt for their first European title in 50 years as they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in Wednesday night’s 2022 Europa League final.
Not since their triumph in the Cup Winners’ Cup final of 1972 have the Gers lifted silverware on the continental stage.
Victory in Seville would also propel them into next season’s Champions League for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Frankfurt, who are hoping for a first European trophy in more than 40 years, haven’t played in Europe’s top competition since losing the final to Real Madrid in 1960.
The German club, who overcame West Ham in the semis, are slight favourites with the bookmakers but the Europa League final looks too close to call with both sides set to enjoy a raucous support.
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Midfielder Ryan Jack admitted earlier this week that seeing so many fans in the city will put a spring in his step. “You see the fans travelling in numbers and all sorts of routes to get here to support us,” Jack said.
“It is unfortunate that only some will get in the stadium but for us, we take a lot of pride in that support we get and backing we get.
“I said before we are just the lucky ones who get to play in the final, there is 100,000 people who would want to be in our position. We have to put in a good performance and make them proud.”
When is the Europa League final 2022?
The 2022 Europa League final kicks off at 8pm (BST) on Wednesday 18 May.
How to watch Europa League final 2022
UK viewers will be able to watch Rangers take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 Europa League final on BT Sport 1 from 6.30pm.
Can I watch a free live stream of the Europa League final 2022?
You can watch a live stream of the 2022 Europa League final on BT Sport’s YouTube channel here.
Rangers team news
Rangers have received a major boost with news that Kemar Roofe has been passed fit for the final. The striker has not played since helping the Gers beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on 17 April, after picking up a knee injury.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted last week that the former Leeds and Anderlecht player’s fitness would be a close call for Seville but he returned to full training earlier this week and is set to feature against Frankfurt.
Van Bronckhorst said: “Kemar is available. He trained for the first time with us yesterday [Monday]. He had individual training before that and he will be training later.
“He will be in the squad and if I want to use him he is available.”
Roofe has scored 17 times this season from 17 starts and 16 substitute appearances and hit the extra-time goal that took Rangers past Braga in the quarter-finals.
With top goalscorer Alfredo Morelos out for the season with a thigh injury, Rangers have started the likes of midfielder Joe Aribo and wide attacker Fashion Sakala in the centre-forward role in recent weeks.
So Roofe’s return to fitness is a major lift for Rangers, even though they managed without him in the last four.
Rangers will be without long-term absentees Morelos, Ianis Hagi and Filip Helander but are otherwise expected to have a fully-fit squad.
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Form
Frankfurt are not in great form. They have just finished 11th in the 18-team Bundesliga and did not win any of their closing eight league matches, a run stretching back to mid-March. They drew their final game 2-2 away to Mainz on Sunday. They have been a different animal in Europe, however, with Real Betis, Barcelona and West Ham their three most recent conquests in reaching the final. They defeated the London side 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, underlining the threat they pose to Rangers.
Players
Frankfurt do not currently have many potent attackers in their ranks. Rafael Borre, the Colombian striker, is their top scorer this term with just 11 goals. Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada is also a threat, having netted nine times, including in the away victory over West Ham. Serbian midfielder Filip Kostic, who joined from Hamburg four years ago, is also deemed a key man for Frankfurt.
Manager
Oliver Glasner has been in charge of Frankfurt for a year. The 47-year-old Austrian landed the job last summer after an impressive two-year stint as Wolfsburg manager in which he steered them into the Europa League and then the Champions League. His first league campaign at the helm has not gone to plan, with Frankfurt – who were fifth last term – slipping to 11th under Glasner. However, the Europa League run has helped put credit in the bank for a man who began his managerial journey in 2014 with SV Ried, the club at which he spent his entire playing career.
European pedigree
Frankfurt’s only major European honour came in 1980 when they beat fellow German side Borussia Mönchengladbach on away goals in the Uefa Cup final. Their only appearance in the European Cup final brought a 7-3 defeat against Real Madrid at Hampden in 1960. That was the first time a German side had played in the continent’s showpiece match.
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Frankfurt have not been regular participants in Europe. This is only the fifth season in the 21st century in which they have featured in continental competition. Prior to reaching the final this term, their best run since winning silverware in 1980 was in 2019 when they reached the semi-final of the Europa League before losing to Chelsea.
Additional reporting by Press Association
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