The opposition
Futbola klubs Rīgas Futbola skola, better known as FC RFS, have been playing in the Virsliga, the top tier of football in Latvia, since 2016 and are currently top of the table.
Under head coach Viktors Morozs, the Riga club are defending the title they won in 2023, their second championship crown after 2021. With three matchdays left of the current campaign, RFS have a six-point lead over closest pursuers and city rivals Riga FC. The two-time winners of the Latvijas kauss are also in the final of the cup for the fourth year running, which takes place next Wednesday.
Tactics
Morozs usually adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation – as was the case in the first two Europa League games as well as most league outings this season. In front of goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, the back four normally consists of Ziga Lipuscek, Herdi Prenga, Roberts Savalnieks and Daniels Balodis.
Stefan Panic and Adam Markhiyev are the first-choice defensive midfield pairing, while Lasha Odisharia and Janis Ikaunieks spearhead the attack. Morozs also uses a front two at times, doing away with classic wingers.
Form
Wins, wins, wins. The Latvian side have come out on top in 19 of their last 22 league matches. Their only draws have come against Riga (2-2, 0-0), although their last defeat was not long ago – a 2-1 loss last Thursday against cup final opponents Auda.
Absentees
Alfusainey Jatta, Ismael Diomande and Emerson Deocleciano are all unavailable due to injury.
Head-to-head
Eintracht Frankfurt and FC RFS are meeting for the first time ever.
Runs and stats
German teams are unbeaten in the last eight European meetings against Latvian clubs: seven wins and one draw.
RFS are the first team from Latvia to play away from home against a German side in a competitive fixture.
RFS attacker Ikaunieks has taken more shots on goal than any other player so far in this Europa League season (six).
