SC Freiburg has moved into the knockout phase of the Europa League and is even making big strides towards group victory.
Not outstanding but incredibly efficient – that’s probably the best way to describe SC Freiburg’s performance in the 4-0 win at FC Nantes. Lukas Kübler (26th), Michael Gregoritsch (71st), Jean-Charles Castelletto (own goal, 82nd) and Woo-Yeong Jeong (87th) scored the goals for Freiburg’s fourth victory in the fourth Europa League game is tantamount to entering the KO phase.
Christian Streich had to change his starting eleven compared to the previous six competitive games. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh was out with a muscle injury. Kilian Sildillia, Maximilian Eggestein and Michael Gregoritsch initially left Streich on the bench. Lukas Kübler, Yannik Keitel, Woo-Yeong Jeong and Nils Petersen started for them.
One point would have been enough for the sports club to advance to the next round of the Europa League. But the people of Breisgau wanted to take a big step towards winning the group in Nantes, because this would save them the arduous journey through the second round and jump straight into the round of 16. They went into the game motivated.
SC Freiburg with the first chance
The first chance in the 3rd minute by Philipp Lienhart. But his header hissed centimeters over the goal. Then the game flattened out. Although Freiburg had more time in the game, they did not manage to create a goal threat. Nantes also only offered piecemeal on the offensive – but it was immediately dangerous: Moussa Sissoko headed the ball to the crossbar (12th). Flekken would have had no chance there. Ten minutes later, aluminum again: Nantes’ right-back Sebastien Corchia shot from about 17 meters. The ball hits the post. Freiburg was lucky not to be behind in this phase.
The people of Breisgau were also lucky on the other side. Because apart from Lienhart’s header chance in the early stages, SC Freiburg had little to offer on the offensive – and still took the lead. Christian Günter’s cross could only high-five Nantes keeper Alban Lafont – right in front of Lukas Kübler’s feet. The 30-year-old took aim and scored a flattering 1-0 lead (26′). Ritsu Doan almost extended Freiburg’s lead just before the break. But the 24-year-old Japanese failed after a sugar pass from Vincenzo Grifo to Lafont (44th). Schade’s goal was later counted as an own goal by Jean-Charles Castelletto, who deflected the ball.
The jokers make the decision
In the second half, Nantes increased the pressure and got stuck in the Freiburg penalty area – but without becoming really dangerous. Freiburg barely developed. If coach Christian Streich’s team did get forward, it was immediately dangerous: Nils Petersen’s header (63rd) or Nicolas Höfler’s shot after the subsequent corner. A few minutes later, substitute Michael Gregoritsch completed a counterattack in Gerd Müller style to make it 2-0 (71st). Kevin Schade (82′) and Woo-Yeong Jeong (87′) scored to make it 4-0. Schade’s goal was later counted as an own goal by Jean-Charles Castelletto, who deflected the ball.
After four wins in four games, SC Freiburg is now at the top of Europa League Group G with twelve points and can secure early group victory against Olympiacos Piraeus on October 27th. On Sunday (7:30 p.m live in the audio stream on Sportschau.de) the people of Breisgau meet FC Bayern Munich in the top game of the Bundesliga.