European nights are back in Breisgau – and the league phase began with what Julian Schuster had called an “international derby” against Basel. “For me, it’s a derby simply because of the closeness of the clubs. It’s only a short trip for the fans from Switzerland too, which makes it really exciting,” the head coach said before kick-off. SC had faced the Swiss side several times before in friendlies, but this was the first ever competitive meeting between the two.

Freiburg were without the ill Lucas Höler and Philipp Lienhart, while Jordy Makengo was given a rest and started on the bench. Anthony Jung came into central defence, captain Christian Günter returned at left-back, and Johan Manzambi was named in the starting XI behind the striker, with his Bundesliga suspension not applying in Europe. After the customary Europa League team photos and a tifo from the Südtribüne, the visitors made the brighter start. Inside two minutes, Albian Ajeti headed goalwards, only for Noah Atubolu to turn the ball around the post and prevent an early setback.

Osterhage opens the scoring

It took SC a few minutes to adjust to Basel’s quick build-up play, but by the ten-minute mark, they were creating chances. Efforts from Eggestein and Manzambi were blocked, but the crowd inside the Europa-Park Stadion were treated to an open contest, even if the tempo dropped around the half-hour mark and much of the play was in midfield.

Freiburg’s best moments came through sharp passing and the lively Manzambi. Basel keeper Mirko Salvi had little to do until the 31st minute, when he was beaten at the first serious attempt. Osterhage latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and struck cleanly into the net to make it 1-0. Manzambi was again involved in the 38th minute. The midfielder played the ball wide to Niklas Beste before charging into the six-yard box to meet the cross himself, only for Salvi to intervene.

Basel, who had barely troubled Atubolu since their early chance, threatened again just before half time. The Freiburg keeper saved brilliantly from Ajeti at close range, and Anthony Jung blocked Xherdan Shaqiri’s follow-up, which Atubolu celebrated like a goal of his own.

Eggestein doubles the lead

The first chance after the interval fell to Vincenzo Grifo, who shot from 18 yards but failed to catch it cleanly. SC were immediately back in control and pressing for a second goal. It arrived in the 57th minute – though only after confirmation from the goal-line technology. Grifo’s cross from the left was flicked on by Eggestein, and although Salvi clawed the ball away, the signal soon showed it had fully crossed the line.

Freiburg allowed Basel more possession after that but stayed stable defensively and looked in control. The Swiss side had their best moment on 75 minutes when Shaqiri drilled a cross through the six-yard box, but nobody was there to apply the finish.

At the other end, SC created the clearer openings. Eggestein came close to a second goal in the 80th minute after good work from Igor Matanovic, but Salvi got a fingertip to his shot. Shortly before, Philipp Treu had miscued a strike when the ball slipped off his standing foot. Basel then pulled a goal back in the 84th minute. Substitute Philip Otele found space on the edge of the box and curled a fine effort into the net to reduce their deficit to 2-1. The goal brought some late tension, but Basel were unable to sustain pressure in the closing minutes.

The relief at the final whistle was clear to see in the Freiburg dugout and among the players. It was SC’s third win in succession, and – after the home victory against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga – their second derby success in three weeks. “Of course we’re very happy with the win to start. Basel were more present in the opening minutes and it took us a while to get into the game. After we took the lead, we defended with real discipline and gave very little away. It got unnecessarily tense after the goal we conceded, but we didn’t allow any further chances,” summed up Schuster.

Photo: Achim Keller