Posted in: 17/05/2022 – 07:44Last updated: 17/05/2022 – 07:43
Berlin (AFP) – Eintracht Frankfurt, armed with Colombian striker Rafael Porri, is preparing to shake the Ramon Sanchez Bisjuan stadium in Seville in the Europa League final on Wednesday, as he seeks to overcome Scotland’s Rangers, his last hurdle to win his first Europa League title since 1980. .
Frankfurt wants to face the Scottish giants in its alternative white shirts, because it is now a lucky charm after the players wore it in the unexpected victory over Barcelona and West Ham in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
Eintracht’s board spokesman, Axel Hellmann, insists, “We must play white. We shook Europe in white. We are Pestia Blanca” (The White Monster).
Hellmann expects about 50,000 Frankfurt fans to attend Seville, “which the city has never seen before,” expecting “a unique final and a unique confrontation.”
“Glasgow Rangers are legendary for us. Playing against Rangers has always been a dream for our club,” the spokesperson added.
Eintracht Frankfurt had previously beaten Rangers 6-1 and 6-3 in the semi-finals of the European Cup for Champions Clubs (the European Champions League competition with its old name) in 1960, but lost 7-3 to Real Madrid in the final match that was held in Glasgow at the time.
Boré..a Spanish-speaking weapon
Frankfurt will be armed in this final, the first for the German club since it won the UEFA Cup in 1980 against compatriot Borussia Dortmund, with a Spanish-speaking player in Seville.
“Personally, it’s been a great year, and I never expected to experience so much with this club. I’m really happy to be part of this success,” Porret told Eintracht in Spanish.
The 26-year-old arrived from Argentine club River Plate to replace Andre Silva, who scored 28 goals in the German league last season before leaving to join Leipzig.
Nevertheless, after initially struggling to prove himself in the Bundesliga, Borret scored two of the most important goals in the club’s history.
The dream goal at “Camp Nou”
A wonderful long-range shot with his right foot from a distance of 25 meters in the “Camp Nou”, the ball dwelt in the ceiling of German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, to be a goal that gave Frankfurt a 3-2 victory over Barcelona in his own home, and ensured his qualification to the semi-finals. After winning 4-3 on aggregate, the home and away matches.
“The goal against Barcelona helped me personally as well as the team. It was a real blow for Barcelona,” added Porret.
“He was the wind that moved my sails for the rest of the match. I am very grateful for that,” the Colombian added.
After that, he broke the deadlock to achieve a difficult victory in a difficult semi-final home match against West Ham 1-0, and a 3-1 win on aggregate, to take Frankfurt to their first European final in 42 years.
“I will never forget the support of the fans,” said Porrier, referring to the spirited atmosphere in the semi-final match at his home.
“The atmosphere on the pitch was fiery. I spoke to a few of my teammates about it and we agreed we needed it. Support lifts you up in your weakest moments.”
“The final will be great, Frankfurt and Rangers fought hard to be there, and we have to enjoy it,” Porri added.
The Colombian has developed a good understanding with Frankfurt strikers Ansgar Knauf and Serbian Filip Kostic.
That understanding translated into a goal from Borré’s cross at London’s Olympic Park, which Knauf met with a header that put Eintracht in the lead after less than a minute in the first leg of the semi-final against West Ham.
Knauf returned the favor with a cross that Pourit netted a winning goal in the second leg.
“We understand each other better with each match,” said Porret. “Ansgar integrated into the team very quickly, and the whole team has a good consistency on the pitch.”
No second chance
Porri has impressed Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner, who is coaching Frankfurt in his first season.
“He is very important in our game, because he has a great mentality, he works hard for the team. He is having a great season,” said Glasner.
But that does not mean that Rangers will be up for grabs in the final. This is because the Scottish club, runners-up to the European Cup in 2008, reached this final at the expense of a German team, Leipzig as well.
After losing the first leg 1-0, Rangers turned the tables on Leipzig and beat them 3-1 in the second leg, thanks to goals by James Tavernier, Finn Glenn Kamara, and John Lundstram.
But this time, there will not be another chance, and the decision will be in Seville.
© 2022 AFP