For the second time within a year, SCF went into the sixth matchday of the Europa League group stage with advancement from the group stage already secured. However, while first place in the group was already confirmed going into last season’s final game against Qarabag Agdam, the group winner was yet to be determined this year as Christian Streich’s side took on West Ham United in London. Therefore, Thursday night’s game decided who would enter the round of 16 directly as group winner and who would enter the preliminary knockout round as the team finishing in second-place.

Two changes each

Ahead of the clash in London, head coach Streich had emphasised the importance of taking the game seriously and therefore made only two changes to the side that defeated Wolfsburg last time out. Philipp Lienhart was ruled out with a muscular problem and replaced by Manuel Gulde, while Roland Sallai replaced Merlin Röhl.

West Ham head coach David Moyes also made two changes to his side that suffered a heavy defeat against Fulham. Kurt Zouma and Pablo Fornals reverted to the bench, while Konstantinos Mavropanos and Emerson came into the side.

Eventful start and early blow

Over 3,500 SC supporters had made the journey across the Channel to support their team in hopes of securing a fifth win in six group games and witnessed an eventful opening phase. While SC came close through a couple of set pieces in the first three minutes, Lucas Paqueta’s shot rattled the crossbar at the other end in the fifth minute.

The Hammers, who would have secured first place with just a draw, took the lead on 14 minutes when Mohammed Kudus got himself one-on-one with Noah Atubolu and found the back of the net.
The goal didn’t dampen the spirits of the away fans, whose chants could be heard around the stadium. On the pitch, the hosts found the back of the net again through Jarod Bowen, but the offside flag meant the scores stayed at 1-0 (26’).

Much of the action took place in midfield and Freiburg tried to level the game through Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Doan but couldn’t find the back of the net (41’). At the other end, West Ham were clinical as Bowen linked up with Edson Álvarez who doubled the lead after a one-two (42’) and gave his side a 2-0 half-time lead.

Goalless second half

Streich made one change at the break and Merlin Röhl replaced Roland Sallai. An already-difficult task almost became even tougher early in the second half, but Atubolu pulled off a good save to deny Emerson (48’). Meanwhile, Freiburg looked to get on the scoresheet themselves but Röhl’s effort was saved by Lukasz Fabianski on 50 minutes.

With SC playing higher and more desperate for a goal, spaces opened up for the hosts, resulting in chances for Bowen Kudus (52’, 55’), both of which narrowly missed the target.
SC continued to work hard but rarely found themselves in dangerous areas, and the hosts managed to see out the victory over a quiet final half an hour. In the main highlight of the closing phase, Ritsu Doan’s impressive effort was denied by a great save from Fabianski (75’).

“We knew that West Ham would be very focused today after their defeat against Fulham. Tactically, we weren’t as good as I’d hoped for in the first half,” said Christian Streich at full time. “Our passing wasn’t good enough in the final third and West Ham were the better side. It’s a deserved defeat.”

After the defeat, SC Freiburg finish in second place in the group and advance to the preliminary knockout round. The draw will take place next Monday at 13: 00 CET. SCF’s next game comes in the Bundesliga when 1. FC Köln visit the Europa-Park Stadium on Sunday at 15:30 CET.

Photo: Abigail Thomson