IT was not a final that will live long in the memory for neutrals but the defeat on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties will never be forgotten by Rangers supporters.
Joe Aribo’s second-half goal put Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men ahead in Seville before Rafael Borre restored parity. After two goalless halves in extra-time, the final went to penalties and the Germans triumphed after Aaron Ramsey’s spot-kick was saved by Kevin Trapp.
Here are three key areas that determined how the game panned out.
No focal point? No goal threat
With Alfredo Morelos ruled out through injury and Kemar Roofe not quite fit enough to start, Rangers were playing without a recognised centre-forward against Frankfurt and looked like it. Too many long balls were easily snuffed out by the German defence as Van Bronckhorst’s team toiled in the final third.
Aribo’s goal was more the result of a defensive clanger from Frankfurt than a well-worked, flowing move and although Rangers improved as the match wore on, clear-cut chances were a rarity. All too often, balls were shelled from deep into wide areas where they had almost no chance of being won and opposition goalkeeper Kevin Trapp wasn’t tested enough.
Conservative approach proves costly
The 4-3-3 shape employed by Van Bronckhorst might have led fans to expect a more attacking side than the one that defeated Braga and RB Leipzig in the earlier rounds of the competition when Rangers lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, but caution was the watchword in Seville.
Risks were few and far between – which didn’t exactly create the most compelling spectacle – and Rangers’ lack of bravery on the ball was notable. The thrilling wins over Braga and Leipzig were built on Van Bronckhorst’s players committing in attack, especially in transition, but they did not follow this template in Seville.
Big players have off-night
The Rangers players can be proud of their journey to the Europa League final but it is hard to ignore that more than a few of them had an off-night against Frankfurt.
Connor Goldson looked a little more ropey than his usual self, James Tavernier was slack in possession and Ryan Kent couldn’t quite find the space he needs to be a threat. Even John Lundtsram, arguably Rangers’ best player on the road to Seville, failed to replicate the kind of performances that were a staple in the knockout rounds.
