SC Freiburg faces Celta Vigo in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday. This matchup marks a significant occasion for Freiburg as they navigate their first quarter-final appearance in the competition.
Recent Form and Performance
Freiburg recently set a club record for unbeaten matches at home. However, they suffered two consecutive league defeats at Europa-Park Stadion, allowing late goals against Union Berlin and FC Bayern Munich. Despite these setbacks, they hope to leverage their home advantage against Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo is currently positioned sixth in La Liga, providing them a secure spot in European competition for next season. In the previous Europa League round, they eliminated Lyon after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, showcasing their resilience.
Historical Context
This will be the inaugural meeting between Freiburg and Celta Vigo. Freiburg has had limited experience against Spanish clubs, having faced Sevilla during the 2013/14 season, where they lost both matches.
Home vs. Away Performance
Freiburg has excelled at home this season, winning all five matches in front of their supporters in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo has recorded twelve wins away this season, notably outpacing their home performance at Abanca Balaídos.
- Freiburg’s last home win: 5-0 against Genk
- Celta Vigo’s recent away victory: 3-2 against Valencia
Current Standings
In the Bundesliga, Freiburg currently sits in eighth place. They remain focused on qualifying for the next season’s European competition while also preparing for a cup semi-final against Stuttgart.
Team News and Updates
Freiburg is expected to miss Max Rosenfelder, Patrick Osterhage, and Jordy Makengo due to injuries. However, no new injury concerns have arisen for head coach Julian Schuster.
On the Celta Vigo side, Javier Rueda is suspended after scoring an important goal against Lyon. Defender Carl Starfelt is also doubtful due to a minor injury, which could impact their defensive lineup.
Predicted Lineups
| Freiburg | Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
| Atubolu | Radu |
| Treu, Ginter, Lienhart, Kübler | Rodríguez, Aidoo, Alonso |
| Eggestein, Manzambi | Carreira, Sotelo, Moriba, Mingueza |
| Beste, Suzuki, Grifo | López, Jutgla, Swedberg |
| Matanović |
As the two clubs prepare for this exciting clash, both will be eager to make a strong impression in the Europa League quarter-finals.
