It was impossible to know last summer just how far this European journey would take Freiburg this season. That makes it all the more special for SC to still be competing in Europe at the end of April. SC have now negotiated not only the league phase, but also the round of 16 and quarter-finals, playing 12 Europa League matches in total – with two more now guaranteed. “We know just how much it means to be playing this game. A European semi-final doesn’t come around every day. We can sense the excitement and nerves among the lads,” explained Julian Schuster ahead of the match.

The first leg takes Freiburg back to the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Just 109 kilometres and a national border separate Vigo, where SC booked their place in the final four two weeks ago, from Braga in Portugal.

The hosts currently sit fourth in the Primeira Liga and, like Freiburg, were beaten last weekend. They also play their home games in one of the most striking stadiums in Europe. The Estádio Municipal de Braga only has two stands, but still holds 30,286 spectators and is built into a dramatic rock face. “The different stadiums and settings are also part of the appeal of this competition,” Schuster said of the unique backdrop.

Niklas Beste is the only player in the Freiburg squad with previous experience of Portugal. The winger did not play in Braga during his time at Benfica, but the 27-year-old still knows the club well: “They’re a very technical side, they’re confident in possession and they have a strong mentality – as they showed in the second leg against Real Betis.”

Four days after the 4-0 defeat in Dortmund, Freiburg have moved on from that Bundesliga setback and shifted their full focus to Europe. “We know the quality we’re going to face, but we also have high standards of our own. We want to pick up where we left off with the performances we’ve shown over the last few weeks,” Schuster added. He will be able to call on Matthias Ginter, Yuito Suzuki, Johan Manzambi and Jordy Makengo again in Braga after all four were rested at the weekend.

The team will once again have strong backing from the away end in northern Portugal. Around 2,000 SC fans have secured tickets for this historic fixture, hoping their side can put themselves in a good position for the return leg next week.

Photo: DeFodi Images