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By Neel Shelat
Freiburg fighting for a first major title
Freiburg have firmly established themselves as a Bundesliga club in recent years, having spent all but one of the last 17 seasons in the German top-flight. The Baden-Württemberg-based club will celebrate their 122nd birthday at the end of this month, but are still searching for their first major honour.
The closest Freiburg came to lifting a trophy was in 2022, when they played their only major final to date. They took on RB Leipzig in Berlin with the DFB Pokal at stake, going all the way to penalties before falling short. There would be no fairytale end to Christian Streich’s long tenure at the club, as he left at the end of the subsequent season after completing 12 years in charge of the senior team and 29 years at the club altogether.
Assistant coach Julian Schuster took on the challenge of succeeding the legend and very nearly led the team to a first-ever Champions League qualification in his debut season. Now, he has earned a second shot at making history at the end of a very impressive Europa League campaign.
Aston Villa keen for a coronation in a period of success
Aston Villa will come into this match in high spirits having sealed Champions League qualification in the Premier League with a dominant win over Liverpool on the weekend. So, regardless of how this match goes, they will enjoy a fourth-successive European campaign next term.
Four is not an entirely lucky number for Villa, though, as they have lost each of their last four major finals. They did win their only continental final in the European Cup in 1982, which remains their last major honour discounting League Cups (which they also haven’t won in three decades).
Team news
Freiburg will be without dynamic attacker Yuito Suzuki due to his collarbone fracture. Defensive midfielder Patrick Osterhage is expected to be back fit, while Max Rosenfelder and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh recently featured for the second team upon returning from injury.
Midfield is the area of concern for Aston Villa, since Boubacar Kamara is out and Amadou Onana’s status is uncertain.
Key players
Freiburg’s all-time top-scorer Vincenzo Grifo is a creative threat too, so the 33-year-old Italian will be a key figure in his side’s attacking play. Young starlet Johan Manzambi will be keen to support him from midfield, especially given Villa’s absences. Centre back Mathias Ginter could also chip in from a set-piece, though his defensive work will be much more necessary.
Ollie Watkins has found a rich vein of form at just the right time, with four goals and two assists in the last three games. Morgan Rogers is Aston Villa’s main attacking threat besides him, so the two will hope to combine on the biggest of nights. At the back, Emiliano Martínez shot-stopping — and potentially penalty-killing — could make the difference.
Prediction
Freiburg are a well-drilled and cohesive side and certainly know how to put up a tough fight on the big stage. Four-time Europa League winner Unai Emery will have to bring out his side’s best, but a penalty shoot-out may well be on the cards.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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