How Frankfurt’s won the UEFA Europa League title
Eintracht Frankfurt have won the Uefa Europa League, 40 years after winning the Uefa Cup. Get the background on the German side..
Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s road to the Europa League final
Frankfurt Uefa ranking: 27
Frankfurt’s Europa League campaign 2021-22
How they qualified: Group D winners (W3 D3 L0 F10 A6), 3-2agg aet v Betis (R16), 4-3agg v Barcelona (QF), 3-1agg v West Ham (SF), 1-1aet (5-4 pens) v Rangers (F)
Top scorer: Daichi Kamada (5)
Last season: did not feature in Uefa club competition
Uefa Cup/Europa League best: winners (1979-80, 2021-22)
With three wins and three draws, Frankfurt came through the group stage unbeaten, but Fenerbahçe, Olympiacos and Antwerp all gave them tough games, and they then needed extra time to see off Real Betis in the round of 16. The quarterfinal success against Barcelona, especially the 3-2 return-leg win at the Camp Nou, will live long in the memory.
Congratulations Frankfurt, 2021/22 Europa League champions! 👏🏆#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/ZiZUfkRUs3
— #UELfinal (@EuropaLeague) May 18, 2022
The fact they triumphed at West Ham in the first leg of the semifinals showed their exploits in Spain were no fluke before they finished the job at home. They then held their nerve in the final against Rangers, coming from behind to draw before winning 5-4 on penalties.
Trapp 🥇🏆#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/pJRA88Fhoe
— #UELfinal (@EuropaLeague) May 19, 2022
How do Frankfurt play?
Frankfurt are often best when they can sit back a little, ceding possession and then pouncing on the break. They tend to create more chances against the bigger teams (see that tie against Barcelona), while they have a harder time during build-up play, though they have occasionally produced brilliant moments there as well.
Who is Frankfurt’s key player?
Filip Kostic. Flying left-back Kostic is a real danger man, with plenty of opponents choosing to double-mark him. His crosses are precise and threatening, providing plenty of assists, and his left foot delivers a fierce shot which has already brought goals against Betis and Barcelona.
🗣️ Oliver Glasner, Frankfurt coach: "Unbelievable. It was our 13th game in Europe and we didn't lose any of them. I told the players we had a fantastic journey and that journey should not end in Seville but when we come home with the trophy."#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/Zey2ceSU0f
— #UELfinal (@EuropaLeague) May 19, 2022
Read Also: UEL: Five Frankfurt fans arrested for public disorder in Seville
Who is Frankfurt’s coach?
Oliver Glasner. In his first year at Frankfurt after arriving from Wolfsburg, the Austrian – who led Wolfsburg into the Uefa Champions League last season – came in for criticism after his side made a slow start to the season but has won over fans and pundits with his honesty and down-to-earth demeanour.
Did you know?
Frankfurt are only the third team to reach the final unbeaten; Chelsea (in 2018-19) and Villarreal (last season) both ended up winning the trophy from a similar position.