There was a different sort of international fixture on the cards on Thursday, as Germany and Switzerland went head-to-head at the Schwarzwald-Stadion. Sport-Club used the international break for a friendly against our neighbours FC Basel, currently fourth in the Swiss Super League.   

With Ermedin Demirovic, Vincenzo Grifo, Wooyeong Jeong, Philipp Lienhart and Roland Sallai on international duty, Freiburg were missing five first-team players. There was to be no reunion with Amir Abrashi, sent on loan to FC Basel during the January transfer window. The midfielder picked up an injury in his last appearance for the Swiss side and will spend some time on the sidelines.

A fast and intense clash developed in the spring conditions. In the end though, it was to be a deserved win for Sport-Club. “ The team did a lot of things well today, it was a really attacking game from both teams,” said head coach Christian Streich when the 90 minutes were up.

Freiburg, who started with Benjamin Uphoff in goal and Lino Tempelmann on the right alongside Jonathan Schmid, tried to influence the game from the start. It was the visitors who got the first opportunity of the game after almost quarter of an hour thanks to some quick thinking from Damian Palacios. It was Sport-Club, however, who took their chance at the other end. Lucas Höler found Guus Til on the counter-attack and the Dutchman converted from just a few yards to give Freiburg the lead (15’).

Basel soon had a chance of their own on the counter-attack, with the speedy Aldo Kalulu looking to cause problems before Keven Schlotterbeck managed to clear for a corner. Overall, it was the hosts who had the better of things and they could have extended the lead before half-time. Schmid (19’) shot straight at Felix Gebhardt in net while Til (42’) couldn’t make a header count.

There was a nice moment to start the second half as Mark Flekken returned between the sticks. It was the Dutchman’s first appearance since he suffered a severe elbow injury in the Pokal last September. “When I speak about what I’ve been through over the last year, it was about eight or nine months until I was able to play again,” said the shot-stopper. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling to be back on the pitch with the boys and to be able to pull on my kit again.”

Flekken was only properly tested once on his comeback, speaking to the control that the hosts enjoyed over the game. They were not only able to find inroads going forward, but they also stayed focused at the back. The visitors had their only serious chance of the second-half when Julian von Moos let fly from distance. Flekken was able to tip the ball around the post with a wonderful safe.

A few minutes before the end, Schmid (85’) converted a direct free-kick to wrap up the game. Tempelmann (51’), with a cheeky attempt from a corner, and substitute Luca Herrmann from the U23s (67’/69’) had previously seen efforts saved. The Basel goalkeeper did well to keep the score down. Alongside Herrmann, other youngsters to feature in the closing stages were Nishan Burkart and Kiliann Sildillia.       

“Basel are not just any opponent, they are one of Switzerland's top teams. We showed focus and enjoyed the game,” said Streich. “It was a proper game of football, it was good fun and a performance with which we can be pleased. And we are obviously happy to have Mark back.”

Overview:

SC Freiburg: Uphoff (46’ Flekken) – Gulde (46’ Höfler), K. Schlotterbeck (73’ Sildillia), Heintz – Tempelmann, Keitel, Haberer, Günter (63’ L. Herrmann) - Schmid, Höler (73’ Santamaria), Til (73’ Burkart)

Head coach: Christan Streich

FC Basel: Gebhardt – Spataro (71’ Lurvink), Hajdari (71’ Vishi), Cardoso, Petretta – Marchand (56’ Chipperfield), Bunjaku (71. Stefanovic) – Sene (71’ Pululu), Kasami (56’ Gubinelli), Palacios (56’ von Moos) – Kalulu (71’ Samba)

Head coach: Ciriaco Sforza

Goals: 1-0 Til (15’), 2-0 Schmid (84’)

Attendance: -

Referee: Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck