A resounding win against Topola: Freiburg overwinters in Europe
Thanks to a gala performance against FK TSC Bačka Topola from Serbia, SC Freiburg will spend the winter on the European stage for the second time in a row.
The Breisgau side achieved the "big goal" set by coach Christian Streich ahead of schedule with a 5:0 (1:0) win in the Europa League. With nine points after four matchdays in Group A, Freiburg have the best chance of winning the group and qualifying directly for the round of 16 - the intermediate round of the lower-ranked Conference League is already assured.
Stable defense
Against the visitors, who finished runners-up in their home league in the previous season, SC did much of what their coach had hoped for beforehand. The defense was more stable again after conceding six goals in two competitive matches.
Up front, Merlin Röhl (24th minute), Maximilian Eggestein (56th), Noah Weißhaupt (69th), Junior Adamu (80th) and Ritsu Doan (90.+2) ensured a return to winning ways in front of 31,700 spectators after two recent home defeats in the DFB Cup and in the league.
As in the 3-1 away win in the first leg and the cup defeat to second-division side SC Paderborn (1-3), Streich opted for a back three, which was hardly challenged by the harmless visitors. With the exception of a backpass from Matthias Ginter to goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who was put under pressure right at the start, there was no danger in front of the hosts' goal in the first half. Topola had major problems even crossing the halfway line.
Patience required from SC
SC controlled the game and could have taken an early lead through Lucas Höler (4th). Their dominance was also reflected in the numbers. After just nine minutes, Freiburg had already won six corners and had almost 70 percent possession. However, they had to wait until Röhl's first goal for the Sport-Club professionals.
Freiburg continued to press after taking the lead. The eye-catching Röhl missed the 2:0 with a shot against the post (38'). Nevertheless, the injured Maximilian Philipp was satisfied with his team-mates' performance during the break, "even if it could have been one or two goals more", he said in an RTL interview.
Freiburg seemingly took Philipp's words to heart and increased their efficiency. Eggestein, Weißhaupt, Adamu and Doan removed the last doubts. With renewed confidence, Streich and Co. will now face DFB Cup winners RB Leipzig on Sunday (19:30/DAZN) with the aim of getting back on track in the league.
Source: www.dpa.com
