Igor Matanović nets winner as Freiburg see off Maccabi Tel Aviv to remain unbeaten in UEFA Europa League

Croatian striker Igor Matanović netted for the second game running as Freiburg edged closer to a top-eight spot in the UEFA Europa League with a narrow win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Freiburg 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Goal: 1-0 Matanović 82' (assist: Günter)

Freiburg's fantastic UEFA Europa League run continued as they saw off a determined Maccabi Tel Aviv defence to remain unbeaten and claim their fifth win of the league phase.

Matanović had chances in both halves before he finally broke the deadlock by converting a fine Christian Günter cross with a powerful header. Although the goal fell late, Julian Schuster's side were well worth the three points for their dominance throughout and are now well on course to secure qualification in the last 16 when facing Lille next Thursday.

As it happened!

1 - 0

(0 - 0)

Freiburg

FINAL

Tel Aviv

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 7 League phase, Matchday 7 Europa-Park Stadion

Full-time: Freiburg 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Julian Schuster's side continue their perfect run on the continent thanks to Igor Matanović's late second-half header. It's no less than the Black Forest outfit deserved, having peppered the Maccabi goal throughout the second half, and the three points means Freiburg are even closer to automatically qualifying for the round of 16. Job done!

© Daniela Porcelli

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Grifo squanders it

Irié and Manzambi combine superbly on the counter for Freiburg as they get the hosts high up the pitch. They work it to Grifo, who chops back onto his favoured right foot before looking to bend one into the top right corner. However, his effort is just off target. The Italian could have killed the contest off there.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

Eight additional minutes have been indicated.

The goalscorer departs

Matanović leaves the field with what may prove to be the match winner, as he is replaced by Höler in the game's dying embers here.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Thomas Hess

90'

Substitution

Lucas Höler

Igor Matanović

90'

No way through

Malede tries to slip Shahar in behind the Freiburg defence, but his pass to Maccabi's top scorer is intercepted before reaching the substitute.

88'

Substitution

Ido Shahar

Itamar Noy

86'

Near carbon copy

This time, Grifo cuts back onto his right foot on the left flank, before curling a cross into the box. Matanović and Irié jump to head it, but neither forward can make contact on the header.

82'

Matanović nods Freiburg into the lead!

And finally, the deadlock is broken, and you can't say it hasn't been coming. High up on the left side, Günter cuts back on to his supposedly weaker right foot, before curling in an inviting cross, which Matanović rises highest to head home at the near post.

82'

Igor Matanović

GOAL!

1:0

80'

Triple change

Julian Schuster's first substitution is a triple one, as he completely replaces his attacking midfield.

79'

Substitution

Cyriaque Irié

Niklas Beste

79'

Substitution

Vincenzo Grifo

Derry Scherhant

79'

Substitution

Johan Manzambi

Yuito Suzuki

78'

Substitution

Issouf Sissokho

Ben Ledermann

77'

Begging to be finished

Günter whips in a teasing ball from the left. In the middle, Matanović throws himself at it, managing to get a toe on it but not enough of a contact on it to guide it into the back of the net. Will Freiburg come to rue these missed opportunities?

Deadlock yet to be broken

With 15 minutes of normal time left to play, Freiburg have come the closest of either side to finding the opener here, when Mishpati denied Ginter before Matanović rattled the crossbar. Scherhant also recently had a shot on goal, but it's still all square here.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

75'

In from Noy

The Maccabi man swings a really dangerous corner in from the right. There are no initial takers, but it falls to Varela, who drills a low shot on target. However, it's a comfortable save in the end for Atubolu.

72'

Wide of the mark

Suzuki slaloms past a couple of defenders before being allowed to shoot from the edge of the box, but drags his effort wide of the left post.

69'

Andrade booked

The substitute's name is taken for a foul on Eggestein.

69'

Yellow card

Kervin Andrade

68'

Mishpati was beaten

Scherhant drives at the Maccabi defence cutting in off the left flank. He plays a one-two with Matanović, which takes Mishpati out of the equation, but - off balance - the winger can't manage to find the back of the net.

64'

Triple change

Maccabi are the first to go to the bench, making a triple alteration as they look to get a foot-hold in this game. Jehezkel was cautioned on his way off the pitch for taking too long to leave the field.

64'

Yellow card

Sagiv Jehezkel

63'

Substitution

Yonas Malede

Saied Abu Farchi

63'

Substitution

Kervin Andrade

Dor Peretz

63'

Substitution

Hélio Varela

Sagiv Jehezkel

59'

Scherhant curls one

Beste launches a quick counter-attack up from the back. After beating a couple of players, he lays it off to Suzuki, who moves the ball onto Günter. The captain plays it down the line for Scherhant, who then cuts in and looks to bend one, but his effort lands wide of the right post.

56'

How's that stayed out?!

Günter wins a corner down the left for Freiburg. Scherhant delivers it, finding Ginter at the near post. The defender flicks a header goalwards, forcing Mishpati to claw the ball off the line with a stunning reaction save. The rebound falls to Matanović, who smashes it against the bar from inside six yards. The ball then drops for Suzuki, who likewise hits a first-time volleyed effort, this time blazing it over the bar.

52'

Ben Hamo receiving treamtent

The Maccabi player was writhing around in agony after being accidentally trodden on by Matanović. There was a stoppage whilst he received treatment, but play has since resumed and the defender has returned to the pitch.

49'

Drilled in by Suzuki

Some intricate play from Freiburg releases Suzuki down the right flank. The Japanese international races towards goal before trying to cut it back to Beste. However, his driven cross is just cleared by the visitors.

46'

Back underway!

Freiburg get the ball rolling for the second 45 here in the Black Forest. Neither side have elected to make any changes at the break.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Freiburg 0-0 Maccabi

Both sides head in at the break yet to break the deadlock. Freiburg have largely dominated proceedings, with Scherhant standing out for being particularly lively. Matanović has also had his fair share of chances. Abu Farchi had the best chance of the game just before the break, forcing a great stop out of Atubolu, but Julian Schuster will be demanding more cutting edge from his side in the second half, if they're to claim all three points here.

© Daniela Porcelli

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Atubolu called into action

Jehezkel delivers a corner from the left. Abu Farchi gets his head to it at the near post, forcing a fantastic reaction stop out of Atubolu to keep the scores level. Big chance at the end of the half there for the visitors.

45'

Stoppage time

Three additional minutes have been indicated.

45'

First yellow

Ledermann receives the game's first caution for impeding Matanović.

45'

Yellow card

Ben Ledermann

44'

Cries for a penalty

Scherhant shoots following a cut-back from a teammate. His effort is deflected behind for a corner, but the winger is adamant there was a handball. The referee points to the corner flag, and Ginter is found from the set-piece, but the defender's header carries the ball wide.

42'

First Maccabi corner

The visitors fire their first corner in from the left. Beste gets a flick on at the near post, making the situation dangerous, but Ginter manages to clear from the six-yard box.

38'

Matanović denied

The big Croatian forward is looked for with a ball in from the left. Shlomo looks as though he'll head it clear, but it glances off the defender on its way through, allowing Matanović a one-on-one with Mishpati. The goalkeeper does well to make himself big, conceding a corner, which Freiburg don't manage to convert.

34'

Blazed over

Suzuki wins a free-kick off Shlomo in a dangerous position, right near the byline on the left. Scherhant takes it, finding the Japanese international the far post, but Suzuki's leaning back when he hits the volley, sending it well over the bar.

30'

Protests dismissed

In quick succession, both Scherhant and Treu go down in the Maccabi penalty area under pressure from defenders, and scream for penalties. On both separate occasions, the referee correctly dismisses the loud protests from both the players and fans, and allows play to resume.

29'

Teasing cross

Freiburg alternate their corner routine, taking their most recent one short to Günter, who hits a delightful first-time cross into a dangerous area, but none of his teammates manage to attack the ball.

26'

Silky from Scherhant

After play resumes, Scherhant latches onto a long ball up from the back before dazzling two defenders and winning a corner. The No.7 takes, finding Eggestein in the box, whose flicked, headed attempt takes a deflection on its way through to Mishpati. Nevertheless, the keeper manages to hold onto the effort.

24'

Stoppage for treatment

Play is halted whilst Treu receives treatment following a collision with Revivo, which left the Freiburg defender with a bloody lip. No foul is adjudged to have been committed by Revivo.

One to watch

Scherhant has been one of Freiburg's livelier-looking players inside the opening 20 minutes here. Will the No.7 be the difference maker tonight?

© SILAS STEIN

19'

Cross after cross

Freiburg are starting to assume control here. First, Matanović attempts an overhead kick on the end of a cross from the left. Treu recovers the second ball and puts a teasing ball back in towards the striker, but Maccabi are first to it before Matanović can connect with his attempted volley.

17'

Not enough lift

Günter is found in behind Maccabi on the left flank with a long ball. The captain comes inside, drawing the visitors' goalkeeper off his line before losing the ball. However, Matanović recovers it and looks to chip the out-of-position custodian, but he can't quite lift the ball high enough, sending it straight into the gloves of Mishpati.

14'

No return

Scherhant beats a couple of defenders down the left flank before cutting inside. He lays the ball off for Beste, looking for a one-two, but Beste is dispossessed before he can return possession to the young winger. Maccabi clear.

Tentative start

Neither side have looked to start on the front foot here and are largely feeling each other out in the opening phases here. Play is frequently breaking down in the middle of the park.

© SILAS STEIN

10'

In by Beste

Scherhant draws a foul from Ben Hamo right by the byline on the left side, earning his side a free-kick. Beste delivers, but Maccabi get it clear.

8'

Peretz in behind

Play opens up for Maccabi's captain to get in behind the Freiburg backline, and the midfielder darts into space, before being caught by the hosts' recovering defence, forcing him to play the ball backwards and spelling the end of what seemed a good opportunity.

5'

First corner

Scherhant gets free down the left flank, drawing a tackle which earns Freiburg the first corner of the game. Beste swings it in from the left, finding Matanović, but the young Croatian's header is just over the bar.

1'

Wayward

A cross comes in from the right, finding the head of Jehezkel in the middle, whose effort is high and wide of the mark.

1'

And we're off!

Visitors Maccabi, who have already been knocked out of this year's tournament, get the ball rolling here in Freiburg.

Kick-off!

Warm-ups underway

The players are being put through their paces with less than half an hour to go until kick-off.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Thomas Hess

More on that Freiburg side

Julian Schuster makes a wholesale six changes to the line-up he fielded in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Augsburg. Club captain Günter is back among the starters, as is: Rosenfelder, Osterhage, Beste, Suzuki and Scherhant. Making way are Höler, Kübler, Grifo, Makengo, Ogbus and Manzambi, who all take their places among the substitutes.

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

More on that Maccabi side

There are five changes made to Maccabi's starting line-up compared to their last Europa League outing against Stuttgart as Shiomo, Heitor, Lederman, Peretz and Jehezkel all get the nod from the off.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Goldberg

Freiburg starting XI

Atubolu – Treu, Ginter, Rosenfelder, Günter (c) – Eggestein, Osterhage – Beste, Suzuki, Scherhant – Matanović

Freiburg subs

Müller, Huth, Hung, Höler, Kübler, Adamu, Irié, Höfler, Grifo, Makengo, Ogbus, Manzambi

Maccabi starting XI

Mishpati – Ben Hamo, Shiomo, Heitor, Revivo – Ben Harosh, Lederman, Peretz (c) – Noy, Abu Farchi, Jehezkel

Maccabi subs

Gerafi, Melika, Andrade, Malede, Sissokho, Varela, Shahar, Weinberg, Magor, Zafrani, Asres, Ben Simon

Julian Schuster on facing Tel Aviv

"They've faced very strong opponents and still had good moments and chances in all of those games. They definitely have players who know what to do with the ball. We'll be prepared for that."

© IMAGO/Arne Amberg

Early Freiburg team news

The Bundesliga side will be without just two players for this encounter in long-term absentee Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and Philipp Lienhart. Otherwise, they are at full strength as they aim to book their place in the last 16. Lienhart and Lukas Kübler are the two Freiburg players at risk of missing Matchday 8 if they get another yellow card.

© Daniela Porcelli

Solid at the back

Freiburg have the second-best defence in the Europa League league phase so far, conceding just three times in their six games. That is somewhat in contrast to their Bundesliga form, where they have shipped 31 times - the second-highest in the division's top 11.

2:03

Watch: Augsburg 2-2 Freiburg - highlights

Freiburg came from two goals down at Augsburg this past weekend to secure a share of the spoils.

Tale of the tape

This will be Freiburg's first-ever game against an Israeli club. Tel Aviv, meanwhile, have played 10 games against German opposition. They have won only one of those matches, against Eintracht Frankfurt in this competition 13 years ago.

© imago sportfotodienst

Maccabi Tel Aviv: The story so far

It has been a difficult campaign for Tel Aviv, who have managed to pick up just one point from their six games so far. That includes a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Stuttgart.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

Freiburg: The story so far

Freiburg sit in a strong position in the Europa League league phase standings after six matches, winning four and drawing two. That leaves them on 14 points, two clear of Stuttgart who occupy the first of the play-off positions. Three points here would put Freiburg on the brink of an automatic place in the last 16.

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

Welcome!

Follow all the build-up and live action from Freiburg's UEFA Europa League clash against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

About the clubs

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Europa-Park Stadion