There was plenty for visitors to Imst to choose from on Friday. Innsbruck and its famous Goldenes Dachl were just over half an hour away by car, while the mountains of Tyrol were within similarly easy reach. Around 700 fans, including more than 100 Freiburg supporters, instead stayed in Imst to watch SC take on Derby County. They were treated to four 30-minute periods of football.

SC took the lead after just nine minutes with an excellent goal from Cyriaque Irié. Yannik Engelhardt played the ball forward from central midfield and Irié beat two defenders on the edge of the box before curling a left-footed shot into the far corner. Freiburg’s first goal of the 2026/27 campaign was certainly one worth watching back. The lead did not last long, however. Derby pounced after SCF lost the ball 20 yards from goal and Carlton Morris levelled for the Rams (14’).

Derby’s approach became increasingly physical, with a number of heavy challenges. Mateo Zelic almost provided the perfect response to this in the 25th minute, but the 19-year-old academy player was denied from close range by the goalkeeper and a host of Derby bodies.

The Rams had the better chances early in the second 30-minute period. Another misplaced pass from Freiburg handed Carlton Morris a good opportunity to score his second, but he rolled his effort narrowly wide (32’). Ryan Hedges then threatened again for the English side following their very next attack. At the other end, Freiburg repeatedly threatened around 50-minute mark, with Lucas Höler going close from a corner before Derry Scherhant had two opportunities himself. Neither side could find another goal, though, and the match was level after the first 60 minutes.

As is common in pre-season, SCF changed the entire XI for the second half, and both sides took some time to find their rhythm again. SC enjoyed more of the ball but initially struggled to turn this into chances. That changed in the 109th minute, when Maxi Eggestein drove into the box and was brought down. Vincenzo Grifo stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1. Freiburg then added another in the final minute as Leon Catak produced a superb finish, lobbing the goalkeeper from around 30 yards.

The squad will spend the weekend recovering and take part in a team activity before beginning the second week of their training camp in Schruns on Monday. New signings Rihito Yamamoto and Keisuke Goto, along with Yuito Suzuki, will also return to the group after missing this first friendly in order to manage their workload.

Goals: 1-0 Irié (9’), 1-1 Morris (14’), 2-1 Grifo (109’), 3-1 Catak (120’)

SC Freiburg first half: Backhaus – Kübler, Ginter, Rosenfelder, Günter – Irié, Eggestein, Osterhage, Scherhant – Zelic (31’ Mijajlovic), Höler.

SC Freiburg second half: Müller (102’ Huth) – Treu, Ogbus, Jung, Makengo (107’ Steinmann) – Beste, Eggestein, Yilmaz, Grifo – Tarnutzer (91’ Catak), Dinkci.