Worth it
Sebastian Rode endured a tough physical battle to reach Europa League glory on Thursday night. The midfielder eventually lifted the trophy after 120 gruelling minutes and a tense penalty shoot-out, with Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey having the decisive spot kick saved by Kevin Trapp.
Rode was subbed off after 90 minutes for Kristijan Jakić, having given his all for the cause, finishing the game with a bandage wrapped around his head to protect a cut that would later require numerous stitches.
The injury was sustained in an unfortunate clash with Rangers midfielder John Lundstram, as the pair contested for a ball at an awkward height.
Lundstram went for the ball with his foot, while Rode lowered his head in an attempt to keep possession of the ball. Contact between Lundstram's studs and Rode's forehead saw the Eintracht midfielder suffer a nasty cut, though thankfully that was the full extent of the injury.
The first half incident sparked protests from the German side, who pleaded with referee to send Lundstram off. But the Rangers number 4 escaped a booking, to the surprise of many fans watching.
After the trophy lift, Rode was stitched up by Eintracht's medical team, before he posted a photo showing off the gruesome scar to his Twitter followers at 1am UK time.
A rough translation of the caption reads: "The main thing is to get the thing!!! Everything else doesn't matter." And the 50,000 strong Frankfurt army who descended on Seville for the occasion will agree.
https://twitter.com/Sebastianrode20/status/1527077186750058497
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