Trabzonspor Falls 0-1 to Freiburg in Conference League Clash

German Conference League representatives SC Freiburg achieved a 1-0 win in Turkey, overcoming Trabzonspor, who are managed by German coach Thomas Reis and feature footballing star Mohamed Salah. This result marks Freiburg’s second UECL victory in the league phase and their third consecutive win across all competitions, following previous victories over Wolfsburg in the Pokal and Augsburg in the league.

The match resulted in Reis facing his first defeat with Trabzonspor.

Freiburg Takes Early Lead

The visiting German team opened the scoring early, pressing their opponents from the outset. In just the 2nd minute, Jordy Makengo sent a warning shot over the crossbar. A cross from Lukas Kübler to Igor Matanovic narrowly missed its target in the 11th minute. Maximilian Eggestein then attempted a long-range shot that went just wide one minute later. Freiburg’s dominance soon led to a corner in the 14th minute, resulting in their goal.

Matanovic connected with a corner from Vincenzo Grifo, and former Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana mishandled the rebound, allowing Lukas Kübler to score from close range, marking his second goal of the season. Freiburg nearly extended their lead in the 21st minute when a shaky pass from Onana almost resulted in a goal, but Trabzonspor defender Chibuike Nwaiwu managed to block Matanovic’s shot right in front of the goal. Overall, Reis’s side struggled to counter Freiburg’s strong performance.

Both Teams Miss Opportunities

Salah’s Impact Causes Concern for Freiburg

After the break, Freiburg seemed less determined, struggling to leave their own half. Salah showcased his skill, creating numerous problems for the defense. A critical save by SCF keeper Mio Backhaus prevented Salah from equalizing in the 61st minute. As Salah continued to pose a threat on the right side, Eggestein and Makengo found it challenging to contain him.

Match Climaxes with Intensity

The match devolved into a midfield contest, with both teams only managing half-chances in a foul-filled final third. Substitutions from both sides added some energy, yet the game lost its momentum. Trabzonspor increased their pressure towards the end, but Freiburg’s defense held strong. The Germans weathered a last-minute corner in the 90+3, where Onana and his teammates rushed to protect the net.

SC Freiburg Player Ratings

Mio Backhaus (7) – Lukas Kübler (8), Matthias Ginter (7), Philipp Lienhart (7), Jordy Makengo (7) – Maximilian Eggestein (6), Yannik Engelhardt (5) – Cyriaque Irié (5), Keisuke Goto (5), Vincenzo Grifo (7) – Igor Matanovic (7)

Substitutes: Yuito Suzuki (5), Derry Scherhant (6), Jan-Niklas Beste (5), Philipp Treu (-)

GGFN Conference League Player of the Match: Lukas Kübler (8)

Freiburg’s defensive unit effectively secured a clean sheet in Turkey, with Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart forming a reliable central defense, and Makengo contributing to the effort despite heavy pressure. Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus played a key role, especially with his late intervention to stop Salah.

However, Lukas Kübler stood out, scoring the match’s only goal in the 14th minute by reacting quickly to Onana’s mistake. With 39 touches and a pass completion rate of 90 percent, Kübler also delivered three crosses and set up one shot. Defensively, he contested ten duels, winning half, and performed well in aerial challenges. His blend of attacking and defensive skills proved crucial in ensuring Freiburg returned home with all three points from Trabzon.