UEFA Europa League: How Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers went the distance in a brutal chess match – tactical analysis

It’s fair to say that at the beginning of the season, very few people, if any, would’ve predicted the UEFA Europa League final being disputed between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.

However, on Wednesday, the two clubs steeped in menacing history took to the field in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium to contest the prestigious trophy.

There was something fitting about the final being held in Seville, in the arena that currently holds Sevilla’s six titles – the most of any club in the competition’s antiquity – in a match comprising two sides with just one piece of European silverware between them, now two.

The stage was set. It was Scotland versus Germany, Dutch coach versus Austrian. As the blistering sun began its bovine descendent, churning day into night in all its mundane predictability, the two teams kicked off what would be the biggest match of the players’ careers. Unfortunately, there could only be one winner – and it was Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.

Oliver Glasner’s side rejoiced when the final penalty flew into the net, as Rangers players fell to the ground in despondency and despair   football in its purest, cruellest form.

But let’s take a look at exactly how the game was won and lost tonight. This will be a tactical analysis piece on the riveting Europa League final. It will be an analysis of the tactics that were crucial to Eintracht Frankfurts formidable feat.

Lineups and formations

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. A wonderfully relevant mantra in the world of football when it comes to managers picking the eleven players to start a game as well as the formation. This principle is adhered to by the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte but often scoffed at by the Pep Guardiolas and Graham Potters of the industry.

The imperfect phrase is incredibly appropriate for this Europa League final.

Eintracht Frankfurt made just one change to their starting lineup for this colossal clash from their previous outing against Mainz at the weekend, with Glasner maintaining the side’s 3-4-3 formation in the meantime.

Jens Petter Hauge dropped to the bench to make way for Jesper Lindstrøm who started on the right of Die Adlers fruitful front three.

Meanwhile, Gio