The Europa-Park Stadion will once again host European football on Thursday night. The makeover has already begun, as TV cameras, UEFA staff and that familiar Europa League branding can be found all over the stadium.

SC are set to welcome another international opponent to Freiburg, this time in the form of Spanish side Celta Vigo. Thursday’s game will mark the first time SC have played in a European quarter-final. “It’s a real highlight for us. We’ll do everything we can to get to the next round,” said Lucas Höler.

Around 800 fans have travelled from Spain’s northwest coast to be here, hoping to relive the high of ten years ago that saw Celta Vigo reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. Their opponents back then were KRC Genk – the side that SC beat it in the last round of this year’s competition. “We’re expecting a side who will want a lot of the ball, but who can also attack us in behind. It will be important for us to keep adapting to what goes on,” said head coach Julian Schuster and Lucas Höler.

Freiburg looking to use home advantage

The first leg sees a strong home side meet a team that performs well away. Freiburg have won all five of their home matches in European competition this season, while Celta Vigo average 1.8 points per away game. Of their six Europa League away matches, the Spanish side have won three and drawn one. Höler, however, is focused on his own team: “We’re the home side and we have already shown that we can compete with any team here.”

The support at the Europa-Park Stadion has been outstanding in recent matches and is expected to be the same against Celta Vigo. The home section is sold out. “I expect the atmosphere to be brilliant again,” said Höler, while Schuster added: “We might need a similar level of support to last Saturday, when the atmosphere was fantastic. It’s a different game, but I’m sure the team will get the backing they need.”

The aim for the first of the two legs is clear: “We want to put ourselves in a good position for the second leg and stick to our game plan.” Patrick Osterhage, who missed the match against Bayern with a knee problem, will remain unavailable for Thursday’s game. Jordy Makengo, on the other hand, has returned to team training.

Photo: SC Freiburg