Glasgow Rangers in the Valley of Tears

The Scots are “great disappointment” but proud because “everyone gave their all”. Coach Giovanni von Bronkorst recalls the 2010 World Cup final.

Seville – Giovanni von Bronkorst, a men’s coach in fancy dress in the heat of Seville, realized he had been carried away twelve years late on Wednesday evening. Summer 2010, World Cup final in South Africa – Van Bronkhorst, then left the world-class left-back for the Dutch national team, leaving the stadium in Johannesburg and losing to Spain. The dramatic Europa League evening for the Glasgow Rangers club, he knew immediately, and they were bittersweet: “I lost in the World Cup final, the biggest of all games,” the coach began. And decided: “Of course it’s a big disappointment, like this time.” Then the head bowed.

In Scotts’ view, the final for the 2022 Europa League title was as frustrating as Eintracht Frankfurt’s play against Chelsea in the 2019 semi-final in London. At Stamford Bridge, Indracht striker Sebastien Haller missed two high-scoring chances in extra time, shortly after falling from eleven meters. This time, Rangers’ Ryan Kent missed his goal in the 118th minute of the game, instead Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Drop shot from a few meters away. “It’s a great save,” said Von Bronkhorst, but he also knew Kent could have better targeted the corner.

Nevertheless, the Glasgow coach looked back at the final with pride: “We gave it our all. It was a very close game all the time, “said Von Bronkhorst, who was right, his team threw everything they could, despite the grips on their calves. If there was no penalty shootout.

Eintracht Frankfurt beats Glasgow Rangers: Aaron Ramsay loses nerve

Aaron Ramsay, the Rangers star player who was borrowed by Juventus in the winter, is a Welsh footballer with a lot of international experience and was once a game changer at Arsenal FC, eventually losing to him. As a substitute for the confrontation three minutes before the end of extra time, the 31-year-old shot his penalty too loosely and too centered. Easy prey for Kevin Trap.

“Of course Aaron was disappointed, but he accepted the responsibility,” von Bronkhorst defended the player, who will leave Blues again for Italy from Glasgow after Saturday’s National Cup final against the Heart of Midlothian. However, he, the coach, could not blame any of the players on his team at Seville that evening, especially those like Ramsay, who were responsible for the final action. “Everyone gave everything.” That is not enough. (Daniel Schmidt)