Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt have made their way to the final in 2021-22, with their contest set to play out at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on May 18.
For Frankfurt, it will be an opportunity to win its first European trophy in more than 40 years. For Rangers, a chance for its first continental title in 50 years.
Triumph in the second-tier competition in the Spanish city of Seville will also guarantee the winner an automatic spot in the group stage of next season’s Champions League.
“For Eintracht, for the fans, for the club, for the players, (winning again after 42 years) would be the most important thing ever,” Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner told UEFA.com.
“It has extraordinary significance, great significance, and that’s why we’re going to try our best so that we come home with the trophy and spend one or two nights celebrating with our fans.”
It will be Frankfurt’s first European final since beating Borussia Monchengladbach in 1980 in an all-German matchup in the UEFA Cup, the predecessor to the Europa League.
Rangers was close to European glory when it played in the UEFA Cup final in 2008, but it lost to Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Scottish club is looking for its first European trophy since earning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972.
Both clubs have substantial fan bases, and tens of thousands are expected to swarm into southern Spain this week to try to see their team succeed again, prompting concern from local authorities and UEFA.
Seville is on high alert
More than 5,000 police officers and security personnel are on high alert in Seville as the Spanish city braces for the throngs of Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt fans arriving for the Europa League final.
Streets are being closed, barriers are being erected around monuments, and security has been heightened in subway stations and at the city’s main squares to maintain order. More than 50,000 Scottish and German fans are expected in the city ahead of Wednesday’s match.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Rangers probable XI:
Eintracht Frankfurt Predicted Starting XI: Trapp; Toure, Ndicka, Tuta; Knauff, Sow, Rode, Kostic; Kamada, Hauge; Borre
Rangers Predicted Starting XI: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Kamara, Lundstram, Jack; Kent, Aribo, Wright
Time and Venue
The 2022 Uefa Europa League final will be held on Wednesday, 18 May, at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville, Spain. Kick-off is at 8 pm (BST)
