Freiburg sink Bačka Topola as Grifo bags hat-trick
The Breisgau side fell behind inside the opening 13 minutes, but a stunning second-half hat-trick from Vincenzo Grifo cemented a 3-1 victory in Serbia.
Christian Streich's side made the trip to Serbia where they took on Serbian opposition in Bačka Topola. Topola would be an unknown opponent to many, but the club finished second in last season's domestic league behind giants Red Star Belgrade.
It was the hosts that took a surprise lead inside 13 first-half minutes via the left boot of Nemanja Petrović. Freiburg thought they had responded through Lucas Höler 8 minutes before the break. Ultimately, VAR intervention would spot Grifo in an offside position in the build up.
The second-half would take a turn for the better for Freiburg and their Italian talisman. A 49th-minute penalty allowed Grifo to convert sending Ilic the wrong way.
Grifo would turn the game on its head upon the hour mark - his freekick was too hot to handle for shot-stopper Ilic who ought to have done better. The Italian secured his hat-trick in the 73rd minute after reaping the benefits of Ritsu Dōan's hard work down the wing. An easy finish from six metres out sealed three vital points in Group A.