In an exciting matchup for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, Freiburg prepares to face Celta Vigo. This marks a historic moment for Freiburg, as it is their first advancement to a major European quarter-final.
Freiburg’s Previous Encounters
Freiburg has faced a Spanish opponent in European competitions before, specifically during the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League. In that instance, they lost both matches to Sevilla, falling 2-0 at home and away.
Celta Vigo’s European History
Celta Vigo has struggled against German teams in their European outings. They have recorded just one victory in six matches, with a notable win against Stuttgart in February 2001 in the UEFA Cup, where they triumphed 2-1. Their overall performance in major European quarter-finals has seen them progress only 25% of the time, having advanced once out of four attempts.
Quarter-Final History
- Celta Vigo’s only successful quarter-final: Against Genk, 2016-17 UEFA Europa League.
- Previous quarter-final losses: Three attempts between 1998-99 and 2000-01 in the UEFA Cup.
- Freiburg’s notable German teams in their first quarter-finals: Wolfsburg, Hannover 96, and RB Leipzig; all were eliminated during their inaugural run.
Current Form and Statistics
Freiburg boasts an impressive record in the UEFA Europa League, winning their last nine home matches. The last team to achieve ten consecutive home wins was Ajax, from 2016 to 2021. The last German side to manage such a feat was Borussia Dortmund, who won ten consecutive matches from 1987 to 1993.
Celta Vigo has demonstrated resilience, outshooting their opponents significantly when trailing or tied this season, showcasing a positive shot difference of 28 (93 to 65). However, they have faced challenges when leading, with opponents outshooting them 39 to 65.
Key Players
- Vincenzo Grifo: Freiburg’s all-time leading scorer in major European competitions with nine goals and five assists this season.
- Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bruno Fernandes are ahead of Grifo in overall goal contributions for the 2022-23 season.
- Javi Rueda: A standout player for Celta Vigo, has scored in his last two UEFA Europa League matches from three attempts.
- Williot Swedberg: The only other Celta Vigo player to score in three consecutive major European matches this season.
The upcoming clash between Freiburg and Celta Vigo promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams hoping to solidify their place in the tournament’s history. As Freiburg steps onto this new stage, they aim to break the trend of early exits experienced by their German predecessors.
