Berlin, Sept 25 (HS): SC Freiburg made a winning start to their Europa League group-stage campaign with a 2-1 triumph over Swiss side FC Basel on Wednesday night. Goals from Noah Oosterhage and Maximilian Eggestein put the German club in control before Basel pulled one back late on, setting up a tense finish.
Basel came out firing from the kickoff and nearly shocked the hosts in the second minute when Albian Ajeti’s header forced Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu into a fine save. Freiburg gradually settled into rhythm and began asserting pressure higher up the pitch. Their breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute, when a clever pass from Yohan Manzambi released Noah Oosterhage, who fired a crisp low drive into the net on his Europa League debut to put Freiburg ahead.
The Swiss visitors responded positively and pushed for an equaliser before the interval. Arlette Junior Ze came close, while midfield veteran Xherdan Shaqiri attempted to dictate play, but Freiburg managed to hold firm until half-time.Freiburg doubled their advantage early in the second half.
Vincenzo Grifo delivered a perfectly measured cross that Maximilian Eggestein met with a powerful header, leaving Basel goalkeeper Mirko Salvi helpless as the scoreline stretched to 2-0.However, the Bundesliga side were made to sweat in the closing stages.
Substitute Philipp Otele reduced the deficit in the 84th minute with a superb curling strike from outside the box, sparking late pressure from Basel. Freiburg held their ground in the final minutes to secure all three points and build on their recent domestic victory.
Looking ahead, Freiburg will next face Serie A side Bologna in Europe, while Basel prepare for a test against VfB Stuttgart.
Freiburg’s opening goalscorer Oosterhage reflected on the win, saying, “The atmosphere was incredible right from the start. We were 2-0 up, and though the game eventually ended 2-1, it’s still a fantastic result. Basel are a quality team, and you have to work very hard to win against them.”
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
