The curtain rose on the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League campaign for SC Freiburg with an encounter against Swiss rivals FC Basel at the Europa-Park Stadion. What promised to be a relatively straightforward evening, especially after establishing a comfortable two-goal lead, ultimately devolved into a nerve-wracking finale, as Freiburg narrowly secured a 2-1 victory. It was a classic European opening night: points secured, but not without demonstrating a penchant for late-game theatricals.
Early Breakthrough and a Seemingly Commanding Lead
From the outset, Freiburg, under the astute guidance of Julian Schuster, appeared keen to assert their authority on home turf. The first half, while not overflowing with chances, saw the Bundesliga outfit gradually gain the upper hand. The deadlock was emphatically broken in the 31st minute by none other than Patrick Osterhage. His thunderous strike, a testament to precision and power, rocketed past the Basel goalkeeper, giving the home side a crucial one-goal advantage as they headed into the interval.
Returning to the pitch for the second half, Freiburg quickly capitalized on their momentum. It took just over ten minutes after the restart for them to double their lead. The architect of this goal was Vincenzo Grifo, whose exquisitely delivered cross found the head of Maximilian Eggestein. Eggestein, with a well-timed leap and precise header, guided the ball into the net, extending Freiburg`s lead to a seemingly unassailable 2-0. At this point, the Europa-Park Stadion faithful could be forgiven for thinking the hard work was largely done, and three points were safely tucked away.
The Unfolding Late Scare
However, football, much like life, rarely adheres strictly to comfortable scripts. As the clock wound down, a glimmer of hope sparked for Basel. In the 84th minute, Nigerian forward Philip Otele, assisted by Leroy, conjured a moment of individual brilliance. His curling finish found the corner of the net, instantly halving the deficit and injecting a potent dose of anxiety into the final minutes of the match. What was once a comfortable lead now felt fragile, the specter of a late equalizer looming large.
Suddenly, Freiburg was no longer just managing the game; they were actively fighting to protect their lead. Substitutions were made, tactical fouls committed (Philipp Treu`s pragmatic yellow card in the 88th minute being a prime example of sacrificing individual discipline for collective security). Basel pressed, driven by the belief that a point was within reach. Mirko Salvi, Basel`s goalkeeper, even denied Eggestein a chance to put the game to bed at 3-0, making it clear that the Swiss side wasn`t going to surrender easily.
Holding On for Precious Points
Despite the late surge from Basel and the five excruciating minutes of added time, Freiburg`s defense, perhaps with a few beads of sweat and a collective sigh of relief, held firm. The final whistle blew, confirming a 2-1 victory for Julian Schuster`s men. It wasn`t the cruise control performance some might have anticipated after going two goals up, but ultimately, it delivered the desired outcome: three vital points to kick off their European journey.
This opening win places Freiburg in a solid position as they navigate the complexities of the Europa League group stage. While the performance offered both moments of brilliance and flashes of vulnerability, the ability to close out a game under pressure is a valuable asset in European competition. It`s a testament to the team`s grit, perhaps, that they `survived` a game they seemed to have had in the bag.
Looking Ahead to Bologna
With this initial hurdle cleared, Freiburg now sets its sights on their next Europa League challenge: a trip to Italy to face Bologna on October 2nd. The encounter against Basel served as a sharp reminder that in European football, every moment counts, and no lead is truly secure until the referee`s final whistle. A winning start, however dramatic, is always the best foundation.
Final Score: Freiburg 2-1 Basel
