Freiburg 2 – Qarabag 1: Visitors to Europa-Park-Stadion leave with nothing

Qarabag FK open Europa League Group Stage campaign with a defeat against SC Freiburg. Today’s result, Freiburg are now in 2nd place, with 3 points from 1 match, while Qarabag sit in 4th, with 0 points from 1.

Breisgau Brazilians started strong and were rewarded for their efforts, when Vincenzo Grifo found the net early in the first half. Freiburg looked to have the match under control when they scored again and increased their lead, thanks to a goal from Ritsu Doan in the 15th minute to establish a 2-0. However, Qarabag hit back though in the 39th minute, with a goal from Marko Vesovic, to take a 2-1 lead into half time. With both teams struggling to produce anything meaningful in the second half though, the match ended 2-1.

Substitutions for Freiburg included Michael Gregoritsch, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Noah Weisshaupt and Yannik Keitel for Nils Petersen, Vincenzo Grifo, Woo-yeong Jeong and Ritsu Doan, respectively. Qarabag brought on Romao, Richard, Leandro Andrade and Elvin Cafarquliyev, to replace Ramil Sheydaev, Qara Garayev, Marko Jankovic and Toral Bayramov.

There were bookings for Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Doan from Freiburg. For Qarabag, Toral Bayramov, Abdellah Zoubir and Owusu saw yellow.

In the second round of action in the Europa League Group Stage Freiburg will travel to play Olympiacos Piraeus and Qarabag will play Nantes at home.