Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary from the Europa League as Freiburg take on Sevilla in Group H.
Unbeaten Sevilla need just a point to guarantee that they top the group, while anything but a heavy win will see them remain above their hosts tonight.
Freiburg's progress is still in their own hands and their task for this game is to equal or better Slovan Liberec's result.
Please note that kickoff is at 8.05pm.
Hello folks! We switch to Group H now, as the top two teams face off. Freiburg take on Sevilla - the latter are are already through, but Freiburg have a lot still to do.
Only a few minutes to kickoff, so let's get the teams right over to you.
FREIBURG XI: Baumann; Gunter, Hohn, Krmas, Sorg; Hofler, Ginter, Lorenzoni, Fernandes, Mehmedi; Darida
SEVILLA XI: Varas; Coke, Cala. Carrico, Navarro; Iborra, Cristoforo; Jairo, Rakitic, Perotti; Bacca
So, what are the permutations? For Freiburg, a win will qualify them no matter what. A win of 3-0 or better will see them top the group, but as long as they at least match Slovan Liberec's result then they will qualify. In truth, with these two lineups, they might well be nervously looking at the Liberec against Estoril Praia.
KICKOFF: We are underway in the Black Forest, then. This one should be good.
SAVE! Early chance from Pavel Krmas there, who wins a header from a free kick and his effort is well kept out by Varas - he might well think he could have done better.
It has been a good start from Freiburg, who are seeing a lot of the ball here early on. Sevilla haven't yet got going, but even so they are solid at the back to not allow much through. A tactical start.
Christian Streich has not left his technical area yet - he knows exactly what he expects from his players. Most of the play is still in the Sevilla half here, but there hasn't been another opening since that early header.
The early chance suggested that we might be in for a goalfest, but it has been anything but since then. It has been Sevilla's turn in the last few minutes to pass it around the back. Rakitic is dropping between the lines, but hasn't had a chance to show his passing range just yet.
BOOKING: Vladimir Darida goes into the book for a late tackle on Iborra. Absolutely no need to go in there, so that will surely disappoint Streich.
A good cross a few moments ago from Sorg just couldn't be reached by Darida. Perhaps he might have thrown himself at it, but that's just a hint that there is a threat to Sevilla from this Freiburg side.
Cala almost gets contact on a corner from Rakitic, but he just couldn't jump high enough. An update from the other game: it's Estoril 0-1 Liberec.. Freiburg will still go through with a win, but as it stands they are out.
Freiburg are still in control of the game, if not dominant. Darida tries to create space on the left for a cross, but he's edged out of it and wins the throw.
Sevilla are really struggling to find their feet. They might well do at some point, but Freiburg need to take advantage while they're on top.
BOOKING: Cala goes into the book and there's no doubt about that at all. Darida cut in from the left and was pulled down around 25 yards out. As well as the yellow, this is dangerous for a free kick.
SAVE: Good stop from Varas. Mehmedi skids his free kick low and just around the wall, but the keeper got a strong hand on it and was able to gather.
So far Streich will be delighted with his side. He will just want the goal that they deserve, though, before he is thrilled. All the while it is 0-0 and they are on top there is the chance of a sucker-punch.
Cross from Darida there from the right almost dips into the net! It clips the top of the bar and goes out for a goal kick, but Varas would have been beaten.
The fans are still in good voice, but there's a real lack of quality in the pitch at the moment. Freiburg have a free kick on the left side of the box here after Darida was caught. He has been the best player on the pitch so far.
Baumann gets well behind a shot from Perotti. It was unlikely to go in, but there's finally a bit of attacking intent from Sevilla.
GOAL! Freiburg 0-1 Sevilla (Iborra)
There is that sucker punch. Rakitic finds Perotti on the left with a good pass, who then weaves inside his man and waits for the pass. Iborra is making a late run into space and it's put on a plate for him by Perotti and he turns it in from close range. Freiburg could be heading out.
How can Freiburg respond? They have played well so far, but have really lacked creativity when in the final third. Sevilla have been playing within themselves, but showed that they can up their game when required.
HALF-TIME: Freiburg 0-1 Sevilla
So Iborra's goal is the difference at the break, but for most of the half it was looking like Freiburg would get the opener. Streich's side have been good, but they haven't created enough and now face a huge task to qualify.
With Liberec 1-0 up at the break against Praia, Freiburg must either turn their game around or hope that the Portuguese side can in their. With 45 minutes to play, it can of course happen.
Streich might look to make a change at the break, but really he cannot be too disappointed with how his side have played. Darida has been the best player on the pitch so far, but has lacked a little bit of luck to break through.
The second half is now underway as Sevilla lead 1-0 from the opening period.
It's been a slow start to the second half in the opening four or so minutes of the second period.
CHANCE That was so so close for the home side as Gelson Fernandes receives a loose ball just yards out from goal, but his final shot goes over the bar.
Sevilla are looking to control the possession in this half, with Perotti looking ever more classy on the left. He might well get on the scoresheet himself unless Sorg can keep him under wraps.
FREIBURG SUB: Lorenzoni comes off for Kerk. That's a bit of direct running for the hosts, can the youngster get his side back into it as Darida shoots from about 25 yards out, but it's comfortable for Varas.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Nicolas Hofler puts the ball in, but for some reason he decides to put it in with his arm from a rebound off Varas, instead of waiting for it to land and kick it in. His instincts took over and he goes into the book for it - silly.
Apologies for the break in transmission, technical problems. You now have me, Michael Penkman, for the rest of the game. As I join you, Oliver Baumann makes a very good save to deny Diego Perotti.
Freiburg are desperately chasing a goal to get back into the game. They need two, with Liberec winning 2-0 against Estoril.
Sebastian Kerk's cross is a dangerous one but Javi Varas deals with it very well. There's no lack of will from the German side, but there is a lack of guile. It's not looking good for the hosts, but stranger things have happened...
SEVILLA SUB: Piotr Trochowski comes on to replace Diego Perotti. The referee has to basically chase the midfielder off the field as he dawdles towards the dugout. The visitors are just trying to waste time now.
Unai Emery's side are doing a very good job at the moment. They look calm and composed, keeping the ball in the opposition half. Freiburg are pushed right up, but that's leaving oceans of space for Sevilla to operate.
There's going to be seven minutes of time added on. There is still time, but Freiburg do not look like scoring. Whatsoever.
SHOT! Rakitic makes a burst forward but his effort is off target. He should have done better, really.
GOAL! Freiburg 0-2 Sevilla (Raul Rusescu)
Game, set and match. It's all over for Freiburg, as a lovely flick from Jairo Samperio sets Rusescu free, and he shows a cool head to slot confidently past Baumann.
BOOKING! The ball came back out to Rusescu after hitting the net, and he lashed it into the stands. That's earned him a yellow card.
RESULT! Estoril 0-2 Slovan Liberec
FULL TIME! Freiburg 0-2 Sevilla
So it is Sevilla and Slovan Liberec who prevail from Group H. Freiburg could only muster a meek response in the face of a superior Spanish outfit.
That's your lot from us at Sports Mole tonight. Thanks for joining us, and please come back again soon.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
