After another magical football evening including a red card, a brace and a dream goal, SC Freiburg is in an international final for the first time. The Baden team defeated Sporting Braga 3-1 (2-0) in the semi-final second leg of the Europa League and thus turned around the 1-2 deficit from the unfortunate loss of the first duel a week ago. The final on May 20th in Istanbul will be the biggest game in the club’s history for the SC.
Double goalscorer Lukas Kübler (19th/72nd minute) and shooting star Johan Manzambi (41st) scored for Freiburg in front of 33,700 spectators. Mario Dorgeles was shown red for the guests in the seventh minute because of an emergency stop. Pau Victor’s goal (79′) came too late for the Portuguese.
First leg hero flies off the pitch
It was seething in Breisgau. From the first minute, the SC fans loudly pushed their team forward. And the hosts, who were looking for a duel in the early stages, got off to a perfect start by being sent off.
Niklas Beste stormed freely towards Braga keeper Lukas Hornicek and was brought down by Dorgeles. Referee Davide Massa from Italy immediately and rightly showed the red card to the offensive man, who had shocked Freiburg with his winning goal in stoppage time a week ago.
Video: Dream goal from Manzambi! Freiburg is getting a taste of the final
Kübler strangely takes the lead
So Braga had to be outnumbered for more than 80 minutes – and that against the strong home sports club, which has won all of its Europa League games in its own stadium this season. The Baden team largely pushed the Portuguese back, had more than 70 percent possession of the ball – and luck was on their side when they scored the opening goal.
After the guests’ header defense was too short, Kübler somehow flipped the ball to the left inside post, from where it rolled into the net to make it 1-0.
Manzambi fantastic – Braga unlucky
As a result, the fourth-placed team in the Portuguese league didn’t allow Freiburg any more big chances, but had to chase a lot. SC coach Julian Schuster repeatedly instructed his players to keep calm.
Five minutes before the break, the seventh-placed team in the Bundesliga struck again – and how. Midfield jewel Manzambi, this time in the playmaker position instead of the injured Yuito Suzuki, scored with a curling shot from 20 meters.
Braga reacted to the setback and almost shortened the score shortly before the break: Victor Gomez only hit the post, and SC defender Philipp Treu saved Rodrigo Zalazar’s follow-up shot (45’+1).
Freiburg chances every minute
As if Braga’s double chance had been another warning, Freiburg pushed for a decision at the start of the second half. Vincenzo Grifo with a shot on the post (47th), defense chief Matthias Ginter (49th) and the busy Manzambi (52nd) missed opportunities every minute.
The guests then became more offensive again and there were now chances on both sides. Veteran Joao Moutinho narrowly missed the ball (69′), then guest goalkeeper Hornicek made two strong saves (70′).
After full-back Kübler made it 3-0 with a header, the game seemed to be decided in Freiburg’s favor. Pau Victor – also with a header – made it exciting again. Braga threw everything forward in the final phase. Unlike the drama against VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup two weeks ago, Freiburg’s final dream did not collapse this time.