The fact that Dennis Aogo and Wilfried Sanou were the goalscorers shows just how long it has been since SC last played a competitive match against an opponent located closer than this year’s Europa League opening fixture.

Back in August 2007, Freiburg travelled just 60 kilometres to Villingen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, winning 3-1. The journey from the Europa-Park Stadion to FC Basel’s ground does cross a national border, but it’s only 73 kilometres in distance. It was no surprise, then, that Julian Schuster described it as an “international derby” straight after the draw three weeks ago.

The 40-year-old doubled down on his statement the day before the game: “For me, it’s a derby. Just because of how close the two clubs are. For all the Swiss fans as well, it’s not a long journey. Everything points towards an exciting occasion and I’m really looking forward to it all.”

Although this is set to be SC’s first competitive meeting with their international neighbours, the two teams know each other well. Basel are regular opponents in friendlies during international breaks, most recently visiting Freiburg in September of last year. Schuster actually spent some time with the Swiss record champions a couple of years ago: “I’m thankful to have had that opportunity, but it’s too far in the past to be able to draw anything from in the preparation for this game,” explained the 40-year-old.

FC Basel are the first of eight opponents that SC will face over the coming months, in a league phase consisting of 36 teams battling it out for automatic qualification for the round of 16 and its preceding play-offs. It’s unchartered territory for the club, as well as Maxi Eggestein, who answered questions alongside his head coach in the press conference on Tuesday afternoon: “I think it’s exciting. We can’t comment on whether it’s better or worse than the old system until we’ve played in it. In any case we are still pleased to be a part of it.”

After starting the Bundesliga season with two defeats, SC have really boosted their confidence with two victories against Stuttgart and Bremen. “It’s of course better to start in a competition like this off the back of two victories,” explained Eggestein. “The Köln game was particularly poor from us, but the international break came at the right time and we made sure to use it wisely and to work hard.”

Schuster declined to elaborate on how he and his coaching staff would rotate the squad during these busy weeks. “It’s good that everyone is fit and well rested after the game in Bremen. The decision making process in a number of positions is more nuanced.”