Thursday night was a landmark occasion for Julian Schuster in more ways than one. The 41-year-old took charge of SC for the 100th time in a competitive fixture, while the game also marked Freiburg’s first-ever appearance in the Conference League league phase. Czech side FK Jablonec posed a stern test and kept the contest alive until the final whistle with some clinical attacking play. “Given how few chances we allowed them, conceding twice is a bit frustrating. At the other end, we probably should have scored one or two more ourselves. Overall, though, I’m very happy that we’ve started with a home win,” Schuster reflected afterwards.

With seven games to come in the space of 20 days in a busy October, the Freiburg coaching staff made seven changes to the side that had beaten FC Schalke 04 2-1. Lucas Höler, Patrick Osterhage, Lukas Kübler, Max Rosenfelder, Christian Günter, Vincenzo Grifo and Cyriaque Irié came into the starting XI in place of Igor Matanovic, Yannik Engelhardt, Philipp Treu, Philipp Lienhart, Jordy Makengo, Derry Scherhant and Niklas Beste. Scherhant and Beste were not named in the matchday squad as they were both carrying knocks.

Bright start from much-changed SC

A spectacularly choreographed display from the supporters across the south stand set the scene before kick-off. Freiburg threatened almost immediately. Irié cut in from the right in the seventh minute and curled a fine effort from range against the woodwork. Kübler went even closer a few minutes later, with his header crashing against the crossbar to keep the visitors, who sit fifth in the Czech Chance Liga, on level terms (11’).

SCF were firmly in control during the opening quarter of an hour and soon got the goal their start deserved. Rosenfelder carried the ball almost two thirds of the length of the pitch on an excellent solo run, before Jablonec finally stopped him with a foul just outside the box. Grifo took the resulting free kick and bent a superb effort around the wall and into the top corner from around 17 yards (15’).

SC took their foot off the gas after scoring the opener, much to Schuster’s frustration on the touchline, and the visitors took advantage. “After we went ahead, there was a spell where I felt we dropped off a little too much out of possession,” the head coach admitted after the game. Kübler did have a good chance to double the home side's lead with a header, but Jablonec were celebrating at the other end moments later. Antonin Rusek’s effort from the centre of the box took a heavy deflection, leaving Mio Backhaus with no chance (28’).

SCF needed a few minutes to recalibrate after the equaliser before beginning to threaten again. Grifo and Irié both went close in quick succession (36’, 37’), while Höler also had an effort three minutes later, but it remained 1-1 at the break.

Freiburg lead again after lengthy VAR check

In front of 28,100 spectators at the Europa-Park Stadion, the second half started as one-way traffic, with SC piling on the pressure. Maximilian Eggestein drew a save from Hanus with a powerful effort from range, and the goalkeeper could only turn the ball behind. The resulting corner led to a lengthy VAR review after Dusan Pavlovic turned the ball into his own net. With several challenges in a crowded six-yard box to assess, referee Edgars Malcevs took his time before eventually allowing the goal to stand, much to the relief of the home crowd (56’).

Eggestein had helped create the second with his long-range strike and got on the scoresheet himself nine minutes later. The midfielder again took aim from outside the box, and this time left Hanus helpless (65’).

SC continued to press high even after making it 3-1, repeatedly forcing mistakes on the ball from Jablonec. Nevertheless, the visitors made the closing stages uncomfortable. Just as they had in the first half, they made the most of one of their few opportunities, with Garang Kuol scoring with only their second shot on target in the third minute of added time. Freiburg saw out the remaining two minutes without any more nervous moments, however, sealing three points in Schuster's 100th match.

SC are back in Bundesliga action away to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday (15:30 CEST), before travelling to AS Monaco for their next Conference League game on Thursday (21:00 CEST).

Photo: SC Freiburg