The day before the game, Julian Schuster had emphasised “the power of the football city of Freiburg”. On Thursday evening, the city showed its might. It started with boundless support from the stands and boundless desire on the pitch, and finished with boundless celebrations, a pitch invasion, players climbing the fence to share the moment with supporters, and scenes of pure joy among the whole team and coaching staff. “The team showed the character that sets them apart,” said Schuster after the match, when Friday morning had already begun.

Yuito Suzuki missed the second leg after suffering a fractured collarbone in the Bundesliga meeting with VfL Wolfsburg. The coaching staff made a total of four changes from the weekend’s league match. Nicolas Höfler started in central midfield, meaning Johan Manzambi could be pushed forward into Suzuki’s position. Philipp Treu moved from the right to the left of defence. Lukas Kübler and Philipp Lienhart also came into the side.

A red for Braga and Kübler nets the opener

9,000 voices were already singing in the south stand when the team came out to warm up. By kick-off, the whole stadium – apart from the away end – was roaring the team on. Only six minutes had passed before Julian Schuster on the touchline was punching the air for the first time. This was not because his team had scored, but because of a red card shown to Mario Dorgeles for bringing down Niklas Beste as the last man on the edge of the box. SC would now play 85 minutes with an extra man.

Freiburg took advantage of the red card and kept the ball in the opponent’s half for long periods. Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek intercepted Beste’s cross before Treu could shoot. The visitors took every opportunity they could to wind down the clock and stayed down after almost every challenge. However, this did not prevent them from falling behind in the 19th minute. Vincenzo Grifo’s cross was only partially cleared, allowing Lukas Kübler to scramble the ball into the net via the inside of the post.

A screamer from Manzambi and Treu with a crucial block

The Portuguese side kept all ten men deep in their own half and made themselves difficult to break down. SCF had recorded 75 percent possession but, before the 40th minute, had created few chances to double their lead on the night apart from a long-range effort from Manzambi. Manzambi, though, tried his luck again in the 41st minute, when he found a gap and let fly from around 20 yards out. His strike nestled in the top corner, leaving Hornicek with no chance.

Amid all the Freiburg celebrations, there was a brief moment of panic when the ball struck the post at the other end. Victor Gomez hit the woodwork from a tight angle before Treu cleared the follow-up almost off the line. This was a warning for SC, who came out for the second half unchanged.

Freiburg on top

SCF were attacking the goal at the south stand in the second half, and the fans in that end were ready to celebrate again in the 47th and 49th minutes. However, both Grifo’s shot from the edge of the area and Ginter’s strike from distance went inches wide. Efforts on Braga’s goal were now coming thick and fast. Manzambi had a go from outside the box but Hornicek touched it wide (52’). Grifo was the next to let fly after cutting inside from the left, and his curling effort was not far away.

Despite Freiburg’s dominance, Braga continued to look dangerous on their few forays forward. Jean-Baptiste Gorby found himself free in the box to shoot from a tight angle, but Atubolu made the save with his feet (58’). In the 69th minute, Joao Moutinho’s curler flew only narrowly wide.

Kübler at the double

By the 70th minute, the game was tighter than SC would have liked. The visitors continued to pose a threat and the hosts were unable to convert two good opportunities. Beste was denied by Hornicek from a difficult angle, while Ginter was foiled by the ‘keeper when he had a chance from close range. Not long after, though, Kübler displayed his goalscoring credentials for a second time. He outjumped an opponent to get his head on Grifo’s excellent free-kick delivery and nod in Freiburg’s third (72’).

The fans were now almost universally off the seats, while the south stand sang continuously. Braga cut the deficit after the SCF defence failed to deal with a free kick. Victor Gomez headed home at the far post to make it 3-1 in the 79th minute. The visitors now had renewed belief, while SC began to sit back. Gorby was able to shoot unchallenged following a short corner and forced Atubolu into a save. The ‘keeper was tested again in the 88th minute, when he tipped a long-distance effort over the bar.

It was a nervous end to the game, but referee Davide Massa blew the final whistle soon after to spark scenes of elation at the Europa-Park Stadion. Players and coaches embraced each other, some with tears in their eyes, and the fans spilled onto the pitch. Freiburg’s European adventure continues. Next stop: Istanbul and a final clash against Aston Villa. “Obviously, we could have seen the game out better, but the fact is that this wonderful club are into the final,” said the delighted head coach.

Photo: Achim Keller