The support from the SC fans in the stands at Besiktas Park never wavered throughout the UEFA Europa League final, even long after opponents Aston Villa looked to have sealed victory. Following the final whistle, they showed appreciation for their team who had given them so much joy across 54 competitive fixtures this season and had already achieved history by reaching the final of the Europa League. Unfortunately, there would be no cherry on top of the campaign against a strong Villa side, but the persistent and tireless support from the stands was more than justified.

“I’m really proud of the players, the coaching team, the rest of the staff, and the fans, too. They created an amazing atmosphere again tonight,” said Julian Schuster after the match.

For the final, the coaching staff opted for the same starting XI from the second leg of the against Sporting Braga. In front of Noah Atubolu, Philipp Treu and semi-final hero Lukas Kübler lined up at left and right back respectively. Between them, Philipp Lienhart and Matthias Ginter were the centre-back partnership. Nicolas Höfler started alongside Maximilian Eggestein in the middle of the park, with Niklas Beste, Johan Manzambi and Vincenzo Grifo pulling the strings ahead of them. Up front, Igor Matanovic led the line and had a chance to open the scoring with a header in the first minute.

Looking for an opening

The game got off to a fast start, with the English side also having their first sight at goal shortly after kick-off - Morgan Rogers saw his effort saved by Atubolu (3’). Rogers’ second attempt of the game was watched closely by Freiburg’s shot-stopper, as it whistled just past the post (10’). After 15 minutes of play, the Villains had a slight upper hand, though SC made it clear that they were there to play when Höfler had a scoring opportunity. Following an incomplete clearance, the 36-year-old tried his luck on the volley from around 16 yards out and was centimetres away from giving his side the lead.

SCF dealt well with a five-minute-long period of pressure from the English outfit and around the half an hour mark, the match had developed into an even contest without a great deal of chances. Kübler tried to amp up the travelling SCF fans seated behind their team’s goal in the first half. Manzambi tested Villa keeper Martinez in the 33rd minute with a bobbling shot from the edge of the penalty area – the first real chance to speak of in a while – and, seven minutes later, darted into the box after some nice stepovers, though was unable to find a teammate in the middle (40’).

Villa go two up

Following this promising passage of play from Freiburg, Villa landed a sucker punch via a corner routine. After taking it short, a floated cross was played to Youri Tielemans, who was lurking unmarked in the box. The Belgian hit it on the volley, smashing it precisely past Atubolu and into the back of the net to give his side the lead (41’). The second goal from the Villains in double-quick time was similarly unstoppable for Atubolu. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Emiliano Buendia found himself in acres of space and curled the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0 going into the interval. “It was a very competitive first half. It was clear that set pieces would play a decisive role. Up until the two goals in quick succession, the game was completely even,” surmised Schuster.

Rogers adds a third

It looked to be an uphill battle for SC at the start of the second half. Having established a two-goal advantage, Villa were content to sit deep in their own half and close down any space, all the while continuing to pose a threat at the other end of the pitch. Their set piece routines were especially dangerous. After a chipped delivery once again towards Tielemans, the midfielder’s effort went just wide of the mark (52’).

Ultimately, the third goal came not from a set piece, but from an attack down the left wing. Buendia slipped past his marker and fired a low driven cross in towards the near post, where Rogers was able to poke it past Atubolu and into the bottom left corner to make it 3-0 to Villa (58’). Despite defeat looming on the horizon, the SCF fans persisted, cheering their team on who continued to fight against the fourth-placed team in the Premier League, though struggled to create any further clear-cut opportunities. 

Villa, on the other hand, had two excellent chances to further extend their three-goal lead. Buendia was millimetres away from making it 4-0, before Atubolu saved a powerful effort from the corner of the penalty area. Shortly before the final whistle, Max Rosenfelder was in position to score a consolation goal for SC, though the opportunity eventually came to naught.

The support of the SC fans also didn’t falter, and they recognised their team for their long, storied campaign with thunderous applause. “At the moment, there is a lot of sadness. It doesn’t feel great to have fallen at the final hurdle. Still, I think that we can continue to grow from this experience,” noted Julian Schuster.

Photo: DeFodi Images