SC Freiburg defeated RB Salzburg 1-0 in the Europa League, securing early qualification for the knockout stage. Philipp Lienhart scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute after Petar Ratkov was sent off early for Salzburg. This marks Freiburg's third consecutive home win.
SC Freiburg celebrated their third home win in the Europa League, securing participation in the knockout round. They defeated Austrian champions RB Salzburg 1-0 in front of 31,100 spectators at their home stadium. The winning goal came in the second half when defender Philipp Lienhart deflected a low shot from Niklas Beste into the net in the 50th minute.
The match started evenly, with Freiburg threatening through long-range shots from Yuito Suzuki in the 18th minute and Johan Manzambi in the 27th, both sailing over the bar. Maximilian Eggestein headed just wide from a corner shortly before halftime. Salzburg, missing their ill head coach Thomas Letsch and led by assistant Kai Hesse, lost striker Petar Ratkov to a red card in the 37th minute for an elbow on Eggestein, confirmed by video review.
Despite being down to ten men, RB Salzburg had a big chance just before the break: Edmund Baidoo missed in the 42nd minute on a counter. In the second half, Freiburg claimed a penalty after a foul on Manzambi in the 48th minute but got a corner instead, leading to the opener. Further opportunities for Matthias Ginter in the 58th minute and Beste in the 84th went unconverted. Coach Julian Schuster praised his team: "I am really very proud. It was not an easy game. Fortunately, we had some games with an extra man in recent weeks, so we could practice that." Eggestein noted on the win despite pain: "A bit of pressure is on. But the victory makes it bearable."
The success improves Freiburg's chances of direct entry into the round of 16. Salzburg now fights for playoffs. Next league match: Sunday against Borussia Dortmund.
