Confirmed team news : History made as two Nigerians start Europa League final; Balogun bench
Published: May 18, 2022Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has named his starting lineup for Wednesday evening's UEFA Europa League final against German opponents Eintracht Frankfurt at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville.
For the first time since the UEFA Cup was rebranded the Europa League, two Nigerian players will start the final of the competition, with Van Bronckhorst selecting Super Eagles stars Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey in the starting XI.
Former Nigeria internationals John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses were named in Chelsea's matchday squad in the 2013 showpiece against Benfica but were non-playing substitutes.
Van Bronckhorst has set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation with Connor Goldson and Bassey partnering in central defence, a decision that sees Leon Balogun omitted from the starting lineup.
Balogun certainly not starting the UEL final with this. Aribo and Bassey are. https://t.co/sbcXyWXjZt
— AllNigeriaSoccer (@Editor_ANS) May 14, 2022
Balogun started for the Light Blues as they ended their Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win over Hearts at the weekend, all but confirming that he would be out of contention for a place in the starting lineup against Frankfurt.
Kemar Roofe is lacking match fitness having recovered from a knee problem so Aribo has been deployed once again as a false nine.
Barring an injury in the warm-up, the Super Eagles midfielder is set to become the only Rangers player who has been involved in the seventeen matches played by the club in this season's Europa League.
Rangers starting XI : McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic, Lundstram, Jack, Kamara, Wright, Kent, Aribo.
Substitutes: McLaughlin, McCrorie, Balogun, King, Davis, Ramsey, Sands, Arfield, Lowry, Amad, Roofe, Fashion Jr.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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