5-0 win ensures SCF’s European campaign will continue in 2024

SC Freiburg had a very successful Thursday evening against TSC Backa Topola, winning 5-0 with a near-perfect performance, with their showing in the second half of particular note.

The opening exchanges of this Europa League Group A match were, however, marked by both small and big mistakes on both sides. A poor backpass in the first minute almost put keeper Noah Atubolu in a difficult situation, and at the other end, Lucas Höler caught a TSC defender napping in his own penalty box and was only denied the opening goal by a Veljko Ilic save (4’). The 20-year-old Serbian keeper was also on hand to keep out Noah Weißhaupt’s 18-yard effort just one minute later.

Tactical changes had been made to the team which began the 3-3 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. “We had lots to discuss after Saturday’s game – both good things and not so good things. Our organisation hasn’t been good enough at times recently,” said Christian Streich after the final whistle. The back four deployed in the league became a back three, and Manuel Gulde and Noah Weißhaupt came in for Lukas Kübler and Ritsu Doan.

Weißhaupt was working well with Vincenzo Grifo to pose a real threat down the left flank in the first 15 minutes and contributed considerably to the six corners won by the home side in the first 12 minutes of the game.

Röhl opens his SCF account

Freiburg initially found it difficult to create shooting chances from the decent positions they found themselves in due to the deep-lying TSC defence. However, after 24 minutes, Maximilian Eggestein had the great idea to cross the ball in low from the right side of the centre of the pitch into the middle. Merlin Röhl was lingering around the penalty spot, received the ball, turned to face the goal and fired it towards the far corner. The versatile midfielder’s effort bobbled past TSC keeper Ilic and into the back of the net, in what was tonight’s right winger’s first competitive goal for SCF.

The away side did not offer much in attack, so Freiburg continued to get forward and had several opportunities to score a second. The best of these chances fell to Grifo after some nice play from Eggestein, but his close-range effort deflected off a defender and away from goal. Röhl had a chance on the rebound from ten yards as he shot it into the ground, but he only found the woodwork (38’). The hosts therefore went into the changing room at half time with a one-goal lead and around 70% possession.

Atubolu called into action after the break

TSC head coach Zarko Lazetic made two changes at half time, one of which was left-winger Aleksandar Cirkovic, who only needed three minutes to force Freiburg keeper Noah Atubolu into a stunning save with a dangerous effort from close range. The script of the game then returned to how it was before the half-time whistle, with Freiburg remaining very much in control.

“The team put in a very disciplined performance today,” commented Christian Streich at his post-match press conference. “This can be seen by the fact that we scored three of our five goals from pressing the opposition.” In the 56th minute, Lucas Höler put his opponents under real pressure and forced them into an error. Maximilian latched onto the free ball and played a one-two with Grifo before tucking it away from 15 yards with a left-footed shot to make it 2-0 to the home side.

The 31,700 spectators in attendance at the Europa-Park Stadion – around 40 of which were from Serbia – bore witness to the away side’s defensive setup becoming more and more open. Substitute Cirkovic tested Atubolu from close range once more in the 68th minute. That shot failed to find the net, but Noah Weißhaupt had better luck at the other end. His fierce left-footed shot flew past the TSC defenders and nestled in the far corner (69’).

Eggestein gets his third goal contribution

Several substitutions were made by the home side in the closing stages, one of which saw Junior Adamu enter the pitch after 78 minutes. The Austrian needed just two minutes to be played through by Eggestein, find himself one-on-one in front of goal and slot the ball home from 13 yards into the far corner. This was also his first SCF goal, and goal provider Eggestein’s third goal contribution of the night. “Lots of players had a great game tonight and it’s great we were able to provide the fans with a result like that,” added Streich. Adamu would go on to set up Ritsu Doan in injury time, who scored to make it 5-0 to Freiburg (90’+2).

The win means that SCF will finish no lower than third in Group A. West Ham United won 1-0 against Olympiacos which leave Freiburg in second place in the group, five points ahead of the Greek side. Should they remain in second, SCF would qualify for the play-off round of the Europa League.

Photo: SC Freiburg