Freiburg frustated by Viktoria Plzeň in UEFA Europa League

Freiburg took another small step towards the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds as they maintained their unbeaten record after five games in a hard-fought draw away at Viktoria Plzeň.

Viktoria Plzeň 0-0 Freiburg

Freiburg started the brighter of the two sides, going close twice in the opening half hour through Junior Adamu and Maximilian Eggestein.

It was Viktoria who netted first, however, as Rafiu Durosinmi rose highest to head home past Noah Atubolu from a corner late on in the first half. But it was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Despite a late first-half onslaught from the hosts, Freiburg held firm to keep the scores level at the break.

Julian Schuster made multiple changes early after the restart as his side looked for a breakthrough. Substitute Johan Manzambi came closest midway through the second half, when his close-range volley was parried onto the post by Viktoria's goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, both sides struggled to break down each other's well-organised defences, as it ended honours even in Plzeň.

Freiburg - who next host RB Salzburg on 11 December - stay in the automatic knockout phase qualification places.

See Freiburg's Europa League fixtures and results here! 

Recap the action against Plzeň below...

0 - 0

(0 - 0)

Plzen

FINAL

Freiburg

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 5 League phase, Matchday 5 Doosan Arena, Plzeň

Full-time: Viktoria Plzeň 0-0 Freiburg

Both side's unbeaten records on the continent remain in tact as neither side can find a breakthrough after 90 minutes in Plzeň. Manzambi came the closest to netting for Freiburg midway through the second half, but on balance, a draw was a fair result.

© IMAGO/Miroslav Chaloupka

Full-time

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Milan Havel

Cheick Souaré

90'

+ 3

Scherhant delivers

From the free-kick earned after Doski's foul on Beste, Scherhant fizzes in a cross from the right touchline. It's flicked goalwards from the near post, but it's a comfortable stop for the Viktoria goalkeeper.

90'

+ 1

Yellow card

Merchas Doski

90'

Stoppage time

Four additional minutes have been indicated.

89'

Substitution

Denis Višinský

Prince Kwabena Adu

Günter departs

Freiburg's record appearance maker is replaced late on by Treu. Günter had threatened Viktoria with marauding runs up from left back, but couldn't quite fashion a golden opportunity for his forwards to take.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

83'

Substitution

Philipp Treu

Christian Günter

83'

Substitution

Adrian Zeljković

Matěj Valenta

82'

Höfler cautioned

The substitute sees yellow for a late challenge on Ladra.

82'

Yellow card

Nicolas Höfler

81'

Durosinmi!

A promising-looking break sees Ladra move the ball out left to Souaré, who picks out Durosinmi at the far post. Durosinmi connects with the cross on the volley, but Atubolu smothers the attempt.

78'

Clash of heads

Teammates Dweh and Červ collide in mid-air after an aerial challenge. They both stay down and receive treatment, but they're back on their feet and continuing now.

76'

Günter booked

The Freiburg captain impedes Doski about 40 yards from goal, preventing a counter-attack. He is thus shown a yellow card.

75'

Yellow card

Christian Günter

74'

Manzambi!

Best chance of the half for Freiburg. The visitors counterattack very quickly, working it to Manzambi on the right side of the box. He rides a challenge from Doski before hitting a strike on the half-volley, forcing a fantastic save out of Wiegele, who just manages to tip it onto the post and behind for a Freiburg corner. What a chance for the substitution!

Suzuki leaves the field

The Japanese international opened the scoring against Bayern at the weekend, but he couldn't follow it up with a goal tonight. He has since been replaced by Höfler.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

70'

Double alteration

Schuster makes his third and fourth substitutions of the match, bringing on Höfler and Manzambi for Suzuki and Eggestein. Can they help Freiburg break the deadlock late on here?

69'

Substitution

Johan Manzambi

Maximilian Eggestein

69'

Substitution

Nicolas Höfler

Yuito Suzuki

67'

Hurled in by Lienhart

Freiburg's No.3 has another opportunity to deliver a long throw-in from the left flank. A Viktoria head is first to it, but Suzuki wins the second ball before the hosts clear it properly on their second time of asking.

Grifo departs

The Freiburg winger leaves the field having not managed to score the goal which would've made him the joint-leading goalscorer in the tournament.

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

61'

Another change

Julian Schuster looks to rediscover the dominance his side enjoyed in the opening half hour by bringing on the fresh legs of Scherhant for Grifo.

61'

Substitution

Derry Scherhant

Vincenzo Grifo

60'

Smashed by Souaré

Viktoria's No.19 picks the ball up about 30 yards from Freiburg's goal. He shifts the ball onto his left foot and has a crack. There's some venom behind the shot and Atubolu wasn't convinced it wasn't creeping in, but it ultimately flies wide.

58'

Memić forces the save

Doski takes the corner short. Viktoria work it to Memić, who plays a one-two on the edge of the box before pulling the trigger. His effort is on target, creeping in at the bottom right corner, but Atubolu gets down well to make a comfortable save.

57'

In by Červ

Viktoria work it well out to the right from where Červ delivers a teasing cross. Ginter, however, is alert to the potential danger and clears it behind for a corner.

53'

On target from Matanović

Osterhage chips a ball in behind for Günter to chase. Freiburg's captain then picks his head up and squares it to Matanović, who manages to steer the cross goalwards, but straight at the Viktoria keeper.

49'

Bend it like Beste

The winger picks the ball up near the halfway line and drives up the right flank before cutting in and shooting with his left. His effort is well struck, but ends up wide left of the mark.

46'

Back underway!

Viktoria get the ball rolling for the second half here. Both managers elect to make changes at the break. Schuster opts for a substitution up top, introducting Matanović for Adamu, whilst Hyský withdraws captain Vydra for Ladra.

46'

Substitution

Tomáš Ladra

Matěj Vydra

46'

Substitution

Igor Matanović

Junior Adamu

Kick-off!

Half-time: Viktoria 0-0 Freiburg

There's still nothing to separate these sides - both of whom have unbeaten records in the Europa League this season - after 45 minutes in Czechia here. Freiburg started the brighter of the sides, dominating possession and fashioning chances, but not gilt-edged ones. After half an hour, the hosts sprung into life and were well on top in the latter stages, with Atubolu doing well to keep his clean sheet before the interval.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Straight at Atubolu

Doski intercepts a loose pass inside his own half and runs over half the length of the pitch before hitting an effort from the edge of the Freiburg penalty area. It's straight at the visitors' custodian, though.

45'

+ 1

Dweh booked

The Viktoria man is the first to be cautioned this evening after he kicks Osterhage in the face following an attempted bicycle kick.

45'

Yellow card

Sampson Dweh

45'

Stoppage time

Two additional minutes have been indicated.

44'

Adu this time

Viktoria continue their dominance in the late stages of this half. Again, they win the ball back in midfield but this time, they release Adu down the left channel. The forward bears down on goal and aims a low shot towards the far corner, forcing Atubolu into a diving save to tip it round the post.

42'

Vydra!

Atubolu's clearance is pounced upon by Viktoria, who immediately look to counter. Souaré hangs a cross up from the right for Vydra, who heads back across goal from the penalty spot, forcing Atubolu to get down quickly to make an impressive stop.

39'

Opener chalked off!

Viktoria thought they had the lead! From a corner, Durosinmi rose highest to head past Atubolu from five yards, but the referee pulled it back for a foul on a Freiburg defender in the build-up.

37'

Another chance for Souaré

After a short corner routine, the ball lands for the left-footer at the edge of the box. His volley is tipped over the crossbar by Atubolu.

36'

Let-off for Lienhart

Near his own penalty area, Lienhart’s clearance hits Günter, and the ball bounces to Souaré. The attacking player sprints into the box and tests Atubolu from a tight angle, but the German keeper is alert to the danger, and parries it behind for a corner from his near post.

35'

Hosts' first corner

Valenta whips Viktoria's first corner of the game in from the left, aiming for the back post. On the third time of asking, Freiburg get it clear.

Lienhart causing problems

The Austrian defender's long throws have caused havoc in the box for Viktoria, but, so far, the hosts have managed to deal with them.

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

32'

Červ from distance

Viktoria work it well up the pitch before finding their No.6 around 25 yards from goal. Under little pressure, Červ lines up the shot, but he slices the effort, sending it wide right of Atubolu's goal.

30'

Beste's delivery

The No.19 curls a corner in from the right towards the near post, but the visitors are first to the ball to head it clear.

27'

Eggestein on the volley

From another Lienhart long throw, Osterhage wins the initial flicked header. The hosts win the next one, but can only head it out as far as Eggestein on the edge of the box, who strikes it on the volley with the outside of his foot. It's well struck and creeping in at the far post, but Wiegele dives to his right to pluck it out of mid-air.

25'

Quick thinking from Adamu

Grifo fakes a pass to the overlapping Günter. Instead, he plays the ball to Adamu inside the box. His marker backs off him, allowing Adamu space to shift it left and to strike with the outside of his right boot. Wiegele reacts well to tip it over the bar, however.

20'

Bicycle kick attempt

Following a throw-in from the right, a cross is whipped towards Plzeň captain Vydra, who improvises with an overhead kick at the edge of the box. The forward makes contact with the ball but can only send it well wide of the target.

18'

Side netting

Lienhart hurls the ball onto Osterhage’s head, who redirects it to Adamu. He turns inside the six-yard box and takes a shot, which is slightly deflected by Durosinmi, sending the ball flying into the side netting. Freiburg don't manage to make anything of the resultant corner.

17'

Beste bends one

This time, Eggestein plays a one-two with Grifo before bursting up the pitch. He tees up Beste on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's effort is blocked by Jemelka.

Starting brightly

Freiburg have posed significantly more attacking threat in the opening 15 minutes here, with Suzuki getting particularly involved. However, it's still all-square here.

© MICHAL CIZEK

Günter forces the save

Freiburg work it really nicely to release their captain. Grifo fizzes a ball into Adamu's feet. The striker draws his marker before backheeling it to the overlapping Günter, who drives forward before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box. His effort is on target, but it's straight at Wiegele, who holds onto the effort.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

9'

Not quite

A good counterattacking opportunity opens up for Freiburg after some slick passing from the Breisgauer. First, Suzuki tries to send Adamu clean through, but his pass is too imprecise. Grifo recovers the loose ball and tries to send Günter through down the left flank, but his captain was not on the same wavelength.

7'

In from Grifo

Beste is brought down in the right half-space, not far outside the hosts' penalty area. Grifo takes, whipping a venomous delivery towards the six-yard box, but Wiegele rushes off his line and connects with the punch first to clear it for Plzeň.

5'

Atubolu claims it

A direct move from the hosts culminates in a cross from the right finding Durosinmi on the edge of the six-yard box. The forward gets up well, but he heads the ball up rather than down, allowing Atubolu to make a comfortable stop, much to the keeper's relief.

3'

Lienhart's long throws

The Freiburg centre-back has already showcased his long throw-in twice in the opening minutes here. So far, the hosts have managed to deal with them effectively, though.

1'

Peeep!

It's the visitors from Freiburg who get the ball rolling under the lights here in Plzeň.

Kick-off!

Warm-ups well underway...

...just five minutes left until kick-off!

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Record against German opposition

For Plzeň, this is their tenth competitive match against German teams. Viktoria have not won any of the previous nine games. Among others shortcomings, they lost to Bayern four times in the Champions League. Freiburg will be hoping to extend this run for the Czech outfit.

Goalkeepers getting warm

Noah Atubolu and Florian Müller are warming up their hands in the below-freezing temperatures tonight in Plzeň.

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

More on that Freiburg side

Julian Schuster makes a whopping six changes to his side which lost 6-2 to Bundesliga leaders Bayern on Matchday 11. Kübler, Lienhart, Günter, Osterhage, Grifo, and Adamu all re-join the Breisgauers' starting line-up. Only Atubolu, Ginter, Eggestein, Beste and Suzuki retain their places.

Plzeň starting XI

Wiegele – Dweh, Jemelka, Doski – Souaré, Červ, Valenta, Memić – Durosinmi, Vydra (c), Adu

Plzeň subs

Tvrdoň, Jedlička, Marković, Kabongo, Višinský, Ladra, Havel, Bello, Zeljković

Freiburg starting XI

Atubolu, Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (c) – Eggestein, Osterhage – Beste, Suzuki, Grifo - Adamu

Freiburg subs

Müller, Huth, Jung, Scherhant, Höler, Höfler, Treu, Matanović, Ogbus, Manzambi

Travelling support

There will be 900 visiting fans from Freiburg at the compact Doosan Arena, which has a capacity 11,700. "Every continental game is an experience [and] it's great that we have two more away encounters [in the tournament]," Christian Günter said. "We're looking forward to the fans' support."

© IMAGO/Heiko Blatterspiel

Beste expecting battle

Freiburg's Niklas Beste believes the Black Forest side are in for a tough test at the Doosan Arena. "It's going to be very physical, so we have to be at our best," the 26-year-old explained. "I've seen some videos; they often try to disrupt the opponent's flow of play, even with minor fouls."

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

Julian Schuster on facing Plzeň

"They are definitely very difficult to play against. They play with a lot of passion and are also very physical. They are very man-oriented, trying to win the ball back high up the pitch with high pressing. In terms of attitude and tackling, it will be very important we put up a fight."

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Martin Hyský on facing Freiburg

"We are facing a high quality, extremely difficult opponent. It is no coincidence that they finished fifth in the Bundesliga [last term] and qualified for European competition. We are ready and I believe that the team has what it takes to handle this task."

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

Latest Freiburg team news

The visitors will be without Eren Dinkçi, Max Rosenfelder and Jordy Makengo for this evening's game, all three suffering with muscular issues. “The next few weeks present a busy schedule and a number of tough tests, we are therefore very thankful to have options,” coach Julian Schuster said.

© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

Plzeň: the story so far

While Freiburg qualified via their league placement, Plzeň dropped down into the Europa League after losing their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round play-off tie with Glasgow Rangers. Last season's Czech First League runners-up are currently among the unbeaten quintet in the league phase, having recorded draws with Ferencváros and Fenerbahçe either side of wins over Roma and Malmö. Domestically, Plzeň occupy sixth place after drawing 3-3 with Jablonec at the weekend.

© IMAGO/Radek Petrasek

On course in Europe

Freiburg are one of five teams yet to lose in this season's Europa League. Die Breisgauer are second in the league-phase table, following wins against Basel, Utrecht and Nice and a 1-1 draw in Bologna, two points behind Denmark's Midtjylland (W4).

© IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

2:03

Bayern Munich 6-2 Freiburg - highlights

Freiburg raced into a 2-0 lead in Munich on Saturday, before succumbing to a heavy 6-2 loss. The result, which bumped them down to 11th in the Bundesliga, ended a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Freiburg's Europa League encounter away at Viktoria Plzen on Matchday 5 of the league phase, which kicks off at 6.45pm CET on Thursday.

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