How fearless SC Freiburg can ‘hurt’ Aston Villa in UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul

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SC Freiburg will be hoping to spring a surprise and make history when they take on Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League final.

Highlights: Freiburg beat Braga in thriller to set up final against Villa

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Bundesliga side arrive in Istanbul for the biggest game in their history when they take on the Premier League giants and one-time European champions.

Although currently a mainstay in Germany’s top flight, Freiburg have bounced between the country’s first and second tiers with some regularity in recent decades, winning four 2. Bundesliga titles from five promotions since 1993.

The club boasts no major honours, but did reach the DFB-Pokal final in 2022, losing in heartbreaking fashion on penalties to RB Leipzig.

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Following an impressive fifth-place finish in the league last season, the club qualified for the Europa League for just the seventh time in their history.

Having never gone beyond the round of 16 previously, few were expecting fireworks this time around with Opta giving them a less than 2% chance of lifting the trophy at the start of the season.

However, five wins from eight in the league phase, including wins over Basel, Red Bull Salzburg and Nice, saw them reach the knockout stage, where they overturned a 1-0 first defeat to emphatically dispatch Genk 5-2 on aggregate.

Opta Europa League supercompter predictions

Image credit: Opta

Already officially their best-ever European campaign, they then hammered La Liga side Celta Vigo 6-1 over two legs to set up a semi-final against Braga.

Beaten 2-1 in the first leg, Freiburg stormed back at home to win 3-1 at home and book their place in the final, which is exclusively live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

"It is certainly surprising that Freiburg has made it to the final, especially in such impressive fashion with big wins over Genk and Celta Vigo," said Eurosport Germany’s Tom Haferkorn.

"Finishing in the top eight during the group stage was already a major success."

But what are the team's main strengths which could, potentially, see them reach the Champions League promised land?

"Definitely their team spirit, and the fact that they take nothing for granted," Haferkorn added.

"The celebrations after reaching the final were almost like a title celebration. That’s how significant it was for the players and the city."

Sea of white as Freiburg fans invade pitch after reaching maiden final

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'Linchpin' Grifo sets the tone

Freiburg’s unlikely charge has nominally been led by attacker and club legend Vincenzo Grifo who, at 33, has five goals and four assists, which is the most goal involvements of any player in the competition this season.

Grifo will be looking to contribute again in the Istanbul final, and should he achieve this feat, will join the esteemed company of Radamel Falcao for Porto in 2010-11, Carlos Bacca for Sevilla in 2014-15 and Kevin Gameiro for Sevilla in 2015-16 as the only other players to scored or assisted in both legs of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the showpiece match.

'A legend of this club’ - Watch all of Grifo’s Europa League goals in Freiburg’s run to the final

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"Grifo has been the linchpin at Freiburg for years," says Haferkorn. "He is one of the most feared set-piece specialists in Germany, and brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the table."

In addition to the former Italy international’s impact, the team’s backline is marshalled by Matthias Ginter, a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning squad and formerly of Borussia Dortmund.

"Ginter is the defensive leader and works exceptionally well with his partner Philipp Lienhart," says Haferkorn. "One of the few who has played multiple times in the Europa League or Champions League.

"His experience really shines through, especially in build-up play and in tight situations, or when the team is trailing."

'A bit like Paul Pogba' - Manzambi tipped for success

As well as experience, Freiburg also boast the excitement of youth in the form of Swiss star Johan Manzambi who, according to Haferkorn, "always brings energy to the game".

”A very good box-to-box player, with good physicality and good ball control. He drives the ball forward very well, and can both play the final pass and finish himself."

The 20-year-old midfielder leads all players in this season’s Europa League for possession won (72), duels won (97), fouls won (37) and is second for shots (32), according to Opta.

He truly announced himself to the wider world with a stunning goal in the semi-final second leg to put his side 3-2 up on aggregate, laying the path for their march to the final.

'What a stunner!' - Manzambi 'grabs game by scruff of neck' for Freiburg

Video credit: TNT Sports

"There’s still a lot to look forward to, especially because he’s versatile," said Haferkorn.

"The comparison might be a bit of a stretch, but I see him a bit like Paul Pogba. He’s physically strong, has good ball control, and a good understanding of the game.

"He’s not a flashy player, though. He likes to keep things simple. He also has good pace, is quick-thinking, and isn’t afraid to help out defensively."

Such is the player’s talent and potential, the rumour mill has already seen him linked with a move away, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United said to be sniffing around - although Haferkorn believes the player shouldn’t be too quick to make his big move just yet.

He said: "He feels quite at home in Freiburg, and has Julian Schuster’s full confidence.

"If he were to move, it would definitely be to a club of that calibre, but he would come at a very high price.

"Personally, I would advise him to stay for another year to continue developing as a regular starter."

'Versatility in their attacking play' among Freiburg strengths

While Unai Emery’s record in the competition is well documented, little is known about the man in the opposite dugout on the night, Freiburg manager Julian Schuster.

The 41-year-old represented Freiburg as a midfielder for a decade, playing a part in two of the above-mentioned promotions from the second tier before his retirement in 2018 - although he chose to stay at the club after hanging up his boots.

"He played for Freiburg for 10 years himself, and knows the club inside and out," Haferkorn added. "He was initially brought in as a liaison coach between the youth and professional teams, and as an assistant coach. His greatest strength is the personal aspect."

Julian Schuster celebrates Freiburg reaching the Europa League final

Image credit: Getty Images

Freiburg have scored 25 Europa League goals this season, second only to Villa’s 28, and since 2009/10 the only German teams to score more in a single campaign in the competition are Werder Bremen in 2009/10 (26), Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018/19 (30) and Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24 (31).

"Under Schuster, Freiburg tries to play attractive soccer, but can adapt to each opponent individually," said Haferkorn. "Above all, the versatility in their attacking play plays into the hands of some players."

Their remarkable run makes them the first German competition debutants to reach the final since Schalke in the then-UEFA Cup in 1996/97, and Freiburg will be hoping to emulate their compatriots, who stunned Serie A giants Inter on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw over two legs.

"I think they can hurt Villa in that everyone sees Freiburg as the underdog," said Haferkorn on the prospect of the Germans pulling off a shock. "Villa are considered the clear favorite in Germany.

"That helps Freiburg, who have a strong transition game."

Watch all three European finals on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Wednesday's match is the first of three European club finals, with all exclusively live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

The focus will shift to the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, live from 18:30 UK time on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max.

There will be expert analysis from a team including Glenn Hoddle, Joel Ward and Joleon Lescott.

The TNT Sports’ cameras then head to Budapest as Arsenal take on European champions, Paris Saint-Germain, on May 30 in a quest for their first Champions League title.

TNT Sports' coverage will kick off with a 'Champions League Final – Super Weekend' show presented by Reshmin Chowdhury live from 10:30 UK time with guests from across the sporting and entertainment world.

Live coverage of the game will begin from 15:00, kick-off at 17:00, and Laura Woods will be joined by Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Martin Keown.

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