Freiburg reach first-ever European final with perfect home record

SC Freiburg are through to the Europa League final after reversing their late defeat in Braga with a stunning performance. With their legends Joachim Löw and Christian Streich in attendance, Freiburg became the third German team to reach the final of the competition since 2022.

The Bundesliga side lost last week’s first-leg in the closing moments of the game, but they started this one with huge promise. The fans created an electric atmosphere at Europa-Park Stadion, and Vinenzo Grifo’s free-kick delivery unsettled Braga inside the first minute.

Five minutes later, Braga were reduced to ten as Mario Dorgeles was sent off for a foul on Niklas Beste as the last defender. The 21-year-old Ivorian was the only change in Braga’s lineup from last week after scoring the winner.

On Freiburg’s side, Lukas Kübler was the only unforced change as Philipp Treu shifted to the left wing. Kübler had a different night in comparison with Dorgeles as the 33-year-old leveled the tie with a huge slice of luck in the 19th minute.

The industrious full-back, who has seen it all with the modest club, had the last touch of the ball amidst a scuffle inside Braga’s box. Julian Shuster’s side struggled to create chances for the rest of the half before an individual brilliance put them in front in the tie for the first time.

Johan Manzambi, who was playing in a more advanced role in the absence of Yuito Suzuki, smashed one from the outside of the box for his eighth goal in all competitions. The ten-man of Braga created their first chance of the game in injury-time of the first-half.

Victor Gomez managed to get past Noah Atubolu, but his shot ricocheted off the post before Rodrigo Zalazar’s follow-up effort was blocked by Philipp Lienhart on the goalline. Freiburg finished the half under pressure, but they hit the same post right after the restart when Grifo’s curling effort narrowly missed its target.

A few minutes later, Freiburg knocked again with Matthias Ginter’s low volley. Manzambi was the next to try his luck, but Lukáš Horníček made a decent save this time around. Atubolu made his first save of the night to deny Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gorby before the hour mark, although the hosts were still dominant.

Igor Matanović was denied a penalty-kick before Joao Moutinho and Beste forced the two goalkeepers to make more saves. Horníček then pulled a stunning double save to keep out Matanović and Ginter from a corner-kick.

However, the Czechia international wasn’t able to stop Kübler from seemingly sealing Freiburg’s final ticket in the 72nd minute. The right-back headed home Grifo’s excellent set-piece delivery to score his second of the night.

Braga tried to get back in the game with an all-attack approach in the next five minutes, and Pau Victor pulled one back from Moutinho’s free-kick delivery. Gorby forced another save from Atubolu as Braga intensified the pressure in the closing stages, similar to last week's game. 

However, Freiburg held on to their advantage with Atubolu making another super save from Gabri Martinez to secure qualification for their first-ever European final with a perfect home record in the competition.

Freiburg will face Hamburg and RB Leipzig before the Europa League final on May 20th at Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul. Aston Villa will be their opponents on that Wednesday night after they beat Nottingham Forest in an all-English semi-final.