It was a final that few could have predicted. Eintracht Frankfurt beating the odds to overcome Barcelona, Real Betis and West Ham on the way to the final and similarly, Rangers were the underdogs when they overcame Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.

The atmosphere was great and there didn't appear to be any neutral fans in the ground (unlike the forthcoming Champions League final which will have 30,000 suits (48% of the capacity)). The Frankfurt end in particular was in great voice and looked incredible.

1st Half

The game itself was scrappy to start with and from the outset, each team's approach appeared clear. Rangers would play a direct style of play, getting the ball up to Aribo and Kent quickly whilst Frankfurt would work their wing backs (Knauff and Kostic) hard. Kostic looked like a player of real quality and I can understand why he was Frankfurt's most explosive Fantasy asset this season.

As expected, Frankfurt's best chances came from these wing backs and it was Knauff who probably came closest on 20 minutes, cutting in from the right flank forcing Allan McGregor into a save. McGregor joining the iconic Dino Zoff and Edwin van der Saar as the 3rd player aged 40 or older to play in a major European final (source). Some great goalkeepers now joined by Allan McGregor.

Rangers' best opportunity came from a free kick which saw ex-Blade John Lundstram's header comfortably tipped over by Trapp.

The commentator for the match was Peter Dreary Drury who just witters on about all manner of shit throughout his commentary. Throughout the 1st half, I learned that "statistically speaking", Seville is the hottest city in Mainland Europe and that the 1960 European cup final between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt (which Real won 7-3) was voted the greatest European match of the century. Something like that anyway, I tend to stop listening when he starts wittering on.

Despite the 1st half ending goalless, I felt that Frankfurt probably edged it but lacked quality in front of goal. It didn't matter how much the wing backs created, there wasn't a Karim Benzema to be in the right place.

2nd Half

The 2nd half began by learning that the 1986 European Cup final was perhaps the dullest in history. A goalless draw between Steaua Bucharest and Barcelona being won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties.

The match continued in same the pattern as the 1st half with Frankfurt upping the tempo. Lindstrom's deflected shot leaving McGregor stranded and narrowly going wide and then on 54 minutes, Rangers sprang into life - Ryan Kent lashing a great opportunity wide and a couple of minutes later, a defining moment. An unfortunate slip by Tuta put Joe Aribo through on goal and he held his composure to put Rangers 1-0 up. Rangers perhaps fortunate to lead but their direct approach had finally paid off.

Rangers were on course to become the first Scottish side to lift a European trophy since Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen beat Real Madrid to win the Cup Winners Cup in 1983 (thanks Peter Dreary, again).

It took a little while for Frankfurt to settle again but when they did, they managed to get themselves back on level terms. My suspicion that the wing backs would play a crucial role proved to be true, with Kostic whipping in a cross which saw Borre nip in at the near post for a deserved equaliser.

Just as I expected the momentum to shift significantly to Frankfurt, the water break allowed Rangers to regroup and the pattern returned as the game drifted into extra time.

Extra Time

With players cramping up in the heat, Rangers were able to control the tempo in the 1st half with the 2nd half much more evenly matched. The best chances came at the death with Frankfurt's keeper, Kevin Trapp making a point blank save to prevent a Ryan Kent tap in and then a trade mark Travenier free kick appearing to be an easy save as the ball made its way towards the top corner.

The statistics will probably tell you that Frankfurt deserved to win this tonight but a lack of quality up front probably meant a draw was a fair result.

Penalties

Having watched Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield United on penalties the night before, I was looking forward to the excitement and drama of another penalty shoot out, quietly hoping that Rangers would come out triumphant. With the commentators praising Allan McGregor's ability with penalties, you'd have thought the trophy was already in Glasgow.

The coin favoured Rangers - taking the penalties in front of their own fans and being able to take the first penalty. 60% of penalty shoot outs are won by the team that takes the first kick (source).

But it wasn't to be. In a shoot out of great quality, it was substitute Aaron Ramsey who was the only player to miss. It seems to happen so often - a substitute comes on in the final minute of extra time to miss from the spot.

It's a cruel way to lose any match, let alone a final.

👇 Penalty Shoot-out Source

Match Highlights

Highlights Source

All photos/images are my own