Rangers never looked like they could survive the physical, relentless aggressive play of Frankfurt in a 90minutes encounter, but instead they did so for 120 minutes only to finally succumb to the ruthless efficiency of the German side in penalty shoot outs.
It was even the underdogs, Rangers, who took the lead in the encounter.
They pressured the goalkeeper into a hurried clearance, and then his intended player into an even more hurried attempt to head the ball back to a teammate.
However, Rangers pressed well and the receiving CB slipped allowing Joe Aribo to run through on goal before curling one past Kevin Trapp.
It was the curtain raiser, Aribo’s goal (57′), after a cagey first half, albeit the Bundesliga had registered 11 shots in the first 45 minutes to the dethroned Scottish Champions’ meager 3.
However, the lead did not last long and 12 minutes later Frankfurt leveled through Rafael Borre, who snuck in between Connor Goldson and Calvin Bassey; but more the failure of the English CB to clear the ball.
Meanwhile, Bassey had one of his best games of the season and definitely one of the best performances on the night at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
The 21 year-old made 3 important tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 clearance, 4 blocks,
4 aerial duels.
Eventually, the contest was decided on penalties, even though the best chance to close the game fell to Rangers, but they were denied by the excellent goalkeeping of Trapp.
The former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper did come up big again in the ensuing penalty shootouts after the stalemate.
Trapp stopped substitute, Aaron Ramsey’s kick – the only missed kick – in the 5-4 triumph for Die Adler.
On one hand the win secured Frankfurt their second Europa League title since 1980, while on the other, Rangers were denied a second Europa League crown.
