Van Bronckhorst supports playing Ramsey despite loss by Frankfurt

Giovanni van Bronckhorst

, the

boss, backed his decision to play

Kemar Roofe

and

Aaron Ramsey

late in the game after their penalty loss at the hands of

in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday.

The score was at 1-1 when the 90 minutes, and then the manager substituted in the two in the 117th minute, having penalties in mind. Ramsey, however, didn’t convert his penalty as Kevin Trapp pulled up a save, before Rafael Borre followed Roofe’s spot-kick to seal a 5-4 shootout to win for Eintracht.

Gers were having their second Europa League final loss with the previous one coming in 2008’s 2-0 defeat by Zenit in Manchester.

"It was tough, physically, but the players gave everything and gave all their effort on the pitch,"

Van Bronckhorst said post-match.

"I subbed some players because they were struggling physically, but I cannot complain. They gave everything and that's all you can ask as a coach.

"Borna had to go out and he's one of the first penalty kickers in the game. We trained in penalty kicks, because some players are comfortable taking them. We had a good feel of players who wanted to take a penalty and players who didn't. In the end we had our list and we had to adjust it because of the subs.

"You could see it after the game straight away, it's never a nice feeling. Everyone is very disappointed and you can sense that in the locker room. I think it's normal, so soon after the game, but Aaron took responsibility to take the penalty. Unfortunately, he didn't make it, but you want players who are comfortable and who are ready to take them."

Rangers provided sporadic opportunities, with Joe Aribo scoring the opener.

Borre scored the equalizer soon after but Ryan Kent had an opportunity to win the game in extra-time, but it was denied by Trapp.

"Especially in those minutes near the end of the game, it's decisive," he said. "It's a big chance for us, but Ryan did everything he can to score the goal. In the end, you know when you have chances you have to take them."

"If you play a final in Europe and you lose, it's going to hurt, because if you play a final you will do everything you can to win it. In the end, with penalties, it's a lottery and tonight we weren't on the good side.

"But I can't complain with everything my players gave and in the games before tonight. In the end, I think it was a really tight game. Went all the way to penalties and, you know, we lost. A big disappointment because we were so close to winning a trophy. I lost a World Cup final, the biggest game there is, also a huge disappointment but you have to move on."

Follow

for the