Rangers will take part in their biggest fixture in 14 years on Wednesday night when they face Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League final.
It’s been nearly a decade and a half since Rangers’ last European final, where the Scottish side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zenit Saint Petersburg at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Close to 200,000 Gers fans made the trip to Manchester in 2008, and the 100,000 fans expected in Seville this time round will be hoping for a much better outcome.
The 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig in the semi-finals saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side earn their spot in the final, facing another German side in Frankfurt after their 3-1 aggregate win over West Ham United. A win over Frankfurt would make Rangers the first Scottish side to win a European competition since Aberdeen in 1983.
Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe are both doubts for Rangers in the final, whilst Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander and Ianis Hagi are all set to be missing. After setting up with a back three in both legs against Leipzig, Rangers are expected to do the same in the final.
So, what lineups could Rangers select? Who will emerge as the winners of the Europa League? Let’s take a look.
Frankfurt vs Rangers score predicted by simulation
We predict that the German side could set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Trapp; Toure, Tutu, Ndicka; Knauff, Sow, Jakic, Kostic; Kamada, Hrustic; Borre.
We predict that Rangers could set up in a 5-4-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor; Tavernier, Lundstram, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Wright, Ramsey, Kamara, Kent; Aribo.
The first half was a nervous one, with both sides being pretty sloppy in possession and unimaginative in attack. Frankfurt controlled the opening stages of the game though, with the German side maintaining possession.
After a goalless first half which saw Rangers register just one shot, Frankfurt started to look more dangerous in attack. The Eagles pinned the Gers back in their own half, and they found the lead after 60 minutes through Rafael Borre.
A well-worked passing move from Frankfurt saw the German side move the ball central from the left, with Filip Kostic finding Djibril Sow just outside the box. The Switzerland international threaded a ball through to Borre who peeled off the shoulder of John Lundstram, and the striker drilled his shot past Allan McGregor for the lead.
The goal was much-deserved for the home side, prompting Van Bronckhorst into introducing Fashion Sakala and Steven Davis for the final 30 minutes. Within 10 minutes of being on the pitch, Sakala levelled the scores with a fantastic strike.
Kevin Trapp tried to send Frankfurt forward with a quick goal kick, but his distribution was poor as the ball fell to the feet of Aaron Ramsey in midfield. Ramsey found Sakala just outside the box, and the forward fizzed a powerful shot past the ‘keeper and into the far corner.
The goal saw momentum switch into Rangers favour, with Van Bronckhorst’s side now on top. Not long after the first, Rangers took the lead in the final with fellow substitute Davis getting on the scoresheet.
Ryan Kent pushed forward on the left with intent, cutting onto his right and drilling a shot at goal. His effort was straight at Trapp, but the shot was too powerful to hold, with the ball falling into the path of Davis in the box.
Davis’ surging run forward was unmarked, and the midfielder was first to the loose ball to blast into an empty net and send the Rangers fans into a frenzy. Two goals in the space of four minutes had turned the game on its head, and the Gers managed to grab a third goal moments later - their third goal in a nine-minute spell.
Sakala received the ball in the box before bursting past his marker to the byline. The forward shrugged off the defender, chipped a ball into the centre of the box, and Glen Kamara was on hand to volley the ball past the ‘keeper at the near post to put Rangers two goals ahead.
Shellshocked, Frankfurt had gone from being in control to chasing a two-goal deficit in less than 10 minutes. The Eagles were unable to find a response in the final stages of the game, with Rangers winning the 2022 Europa League final.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Frankfurt 1-3 Rangers
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that despite going behind and looking second-best for the opening hour, Rangers could fight back and score three goals in a crazy 10-minute spell to win the Europa League final. Van Bronckhorst’s substitutions proved the difference in the simulation, with the introductions of Sakala and Davis the turning point in the game.
Who do you think will win the Europa League final? Let us know in the comments below!
