This is how it works confidently and safely: SC Freiburg is mixing up the Europa League just as vigorously as it is currently doing in the Bundesliga. At FC Nantes, coach Christian Streich’s team once again showed their class.
Christian Streich was able to follow the last few minutes in a relaxed manner on the sidelines, then the SC Freiburg coach visibly satisfied high fives with his French colleague Antoine Kombouare – after the sovereign 4-0 (1-0) at FC Nantes Streich had every reason to be happy: The Breisgauers are already safely in the knockout phase of the Europa League and, thanks to their impeccable record of four wins in four games, also have good prospects of going directly into the round of 16.
“It wasn’t an easy game, but if you can talk about efficiency on a day, it’s today,” said goalkeeper Mark Flekken on RTL: “We made great use of our chances.” But Freiburg also had “a lot of luck” in the first half.
Lukas Kübler (26′), substitute Michael Gregoritsch (71′), an own goal by the hosts Moses Simon (82′) and Woo-Yeong Jeong (87′) scored for the sports club in western France. Freiburg, which was challenged again on Sunday for the top game in the Bundesliga at champions Bayern Munich (7.30 p.m. / DAZN and in the ntv.de live ticker), has now been unbeaten in eleven games in all competitions.
Streich, who was back on the sidelines after surviving the corona infection, changed his starting lineup for the first time in six games. Four new players made their debut in Jeong, Yannik Keitel, Kübler and Nils Petersen.
As expected, Freiburg started with a lot of possession and had a good opportunity early on. But Philipp Lienhart headed just over it after a corner (3rd). A short time later, the sports club was lucky twice. First, Moussa Sissoko failed to head off the bar (12′), then Sebastien Corchia hit the post (20′).
Almost out of nowhere, Freiburg, who were playing in red, took the lead. Kübler’s powerful shot hit the home side’s goal unstoppably. As a result, the Breisgauer increasingly took control again, but were only halfway dangerous once again through Ritsu Doan (44th).
After the break, Nantes put more pressure on and Ludovic Blas got a good finish (52′). Freiburg was now limited to a stable defense and was only rarely able to provide relief (64th), before Gregoritsch was able to complete a perfectly played counterattack. After that, the hosts visibly gave up.
