Freiburg are on the cusp of reaching their first-ever main European semi-final after defeating Celta Vigo 3-0 of their Europa League quarter-final first leg.
Captain Vincenzo Grifo led the way in which with a surprising end earlier than Niklas Beste and Matthias Ginter acquired in on the act to see the Bundesliga safe a wholesome first-leg benefit at Europa-Park Stadion.
Freiburg went forward after simply 10 minutes as 20-year-old Johan Manzambi teed up Grifo on the sting of the field, and the Italian curled the ball round Ionut Radu and into the far nook.
Celta regarded to work their approach again into the sport however discovered themselves 2-0 down shortly after the half-hour mark, with Igor Matanovic squaring the ball to Beste for a easy tap-in from contained in the six-yard field.
Manzambi nearly added a 3rd simply moments later after being performed into the field by Yuito Suzuki, however the former might solely strike the surface of the publish from a good angle as Celta discovered themselves below a number of stress.
And that stress ultimately informed within the 78th minute, as Ginter rose highest to go Beste’s nook past Sergio Carreira on the road, permitting Freiburg to place one foot within the semi-final.
Freiburg dominate at house #UEL pic.twitter.com/y2Lvw5RDSF
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 9, 2026
Information Debrief: Spectacular defence lays basis for sturdy assault
Freiburg’s attacking prowess was matched on the again as Celta failed to aim a shot heading in the right direction; it’s the primary time they failed to aim a shot on aim in a sport within the Europa League (since no less than 2007).
Freiburg have now saved a clear sheet in 5 of their 11 Europa League video games this season; solely Aston Villa (six) and Sporting Braga (seven) have finished this extra usually in 2025-26.
General, Freiburg produced 1.56 anticipated targets (xG) from 13 photographs to Celta’s 0.58 from 4 makes an attempt, with the Galician outfit’s European title hopes taking a severe blow.
