Freiburg 3-0 Celta: Hosts set up huge advantage in the first-leg

Vincenzo Grifo inspires German side to big win in Europa League quarter-final first leg

Match Report:

Freiburg started strongly and, after going close through Maximilian Eggestein and Yuitu Suzuki, took the early lead they had threatened lead when their inspirational captain and record scorer Vincenzo Grifo added another memorable goal to his collection with a fine curling effort inside the far post from the edge of the penalty area.

Although the tempo dropped a little from there, the hosts scored again just after the half-hour. Philipp Treu was central to the move, playing to Igor Matanović who then squared for Jan-Niklas Beste to tap in from close range.

There might even have been a third for Freiburg before the break, a break of the ball giving Johan Manzambi a chance but his shot cannoned off the post. Nevertheless, there was lots for Celta to do after the restart.

Freiburg continued to enjoy more possession when play resumed and although it was without the same intensity, they were still able to get a third in the closing stages as Matthias Ginter got ahead of Sergio Carreira to head in Beste's corner.

It might have been even better for the home side, substitute Lucas Höler hitting the woodwork in the closing stages, but Julian Schuster's side had already established a cushion to take to Spain next week.

An irresistible performance from Freiburg, who were clinical up front and watertight at the back, leaving Celta with no chance. On an already historic evening in Freiburg's first-ever European quarter-final, they treated their fans to a magical display. Celta have a huge job ahead of them next week at home as they look to get back into this tie.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

10' GOAL! Freiburg 1-0 Celta (Vincenzo Grifo)

32' GOAL! Freiburg 2-0 Celta (Niklas Beste)

59' Highlight from Freiburg vs Celta

78' GOAL! Freiburg 3-0 Celta (Matthias Ginter)

88' Match Event for Freiburg vs Celta

90' GOAL! Freiburg 1-2 Celta

Line-ups

Freiburg XI: Ginter, V. Grifo, Lienhart, Eggestein, J. Beste, Noah Atubolu, Philipp Treu, Jordy Makengo, Yuito Suzuki, Igor Matanovic, Johan Manzambi

Subs: Höfler, Kübler, Anthony Jung, Philipp, Günter, Jannik Huth, Lucas Höler, Florian Müller, Derry Scherhant, Cyriaque Irié, Bruno Ogbus, Rouven Tarnutzer

Celta XI: Alonso, Iglesias, Aidoo, Radu, Carreira, Óscar Mingueza, Ferran Jutglà, Ilaix Moriba, Williot Swedberg, Hugo Sotelo, Javi Rodríguez

Subs: Aspas, Vecino, Villar, Franco Cervi, Álvaro Núñez, Manu Fernández, Carlos Domínguez, Jones El-Abdellaoui, Pablo Durán, Yoel Lago, Fer López, Andrés Antañón