Eintracht Frankfurt have won the UEFA Europa League, 40 years after winning the UEFA Cup. Learn about the background of the German team.
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Eintracht in the UEFA ranking: 27
Eintracht in the Europa League 2021/22
His way to the title: 1st of Group D (W3 D3 D0D 10GF 6GC), 3-2 on aggregate against Betis (round of 16), 4-3 on aggregate against Barcelona (quarter-finals), 3-1 on aggregate against West Ham (semi-finals)
Top scorer: Daichi Kamada (5)
Last season: did not participate in UEFA competition
Best participation in the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League: champion (1979/80, 2021/22)
With three wins and three draws, Eintracht came out of the group stage unbeaten, but Fenerbahçe, Olympiacos and Antwerp gave them tough games. Later, they needed extra time to eliminate Real Betis in the round of 16. The victory in the quarterfinals against Barcelona, especially the 2-3 second leg at the Camp Nou, will remain in the memory. The triumph at West Ham’s ground in the first leg of the semi-finals showed that his exploits in Spain were no accident. In the final against Rangers, they stuck to their guns, leveling an adverse score, forcing extra time and winning 5-4 on penalties.
How does Eintrach play?
Eintracht are usually better when they can drop back a bit, give up possession of the ball and then go on the counterattack. They tend to create more chances against the bigger teams as happened against Barcelona, with Filip Kostic and Ansgar Knauff creating danger down the flanks, and the final was also a display of their steely character and resolve.
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Who is the key player for Eintracht?
Filip Kostic. The left lane is a real danger, with many opponents choosing to guard him with two men. His crosses are precise and always create chances, thus giving many assists. In addition, his left foot offers a strong shot that has already given important goals against Betis and Barcelona. That said, it was goalkeeper Kevin Trapp who became the hero of the final, making some great saves and being recognized as the UEFA Europa League Final Hankook Man of the Match.
Who is the coach of Eintracht?
Oliver Glasner. In his first year at Eintracht, having joined from Wolfsburg, Oliver Glasner drew criticism for his team’s poor start to the season, but the Austrian (who led Wolfsburg to the UEFA Champions League last season) has earned fans and experts with his honesty and down-to-earth character, virtues rewarded with European success.
Did you know?
Eintracht were only the third team to reach the final unbeaten; Chelsea (in 2018/19) and Villarreal (last season) ended up winning the trophy from a similar position.
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