SC Freiburg to face Motherwell FC in Conference League qualifiers

SC Freiburg has learned its opponent for the upcoming Conference League qualifying playoffs: Motherwell FC. The Scottish club secured their spot by defeating HJK Helsinki 2-0 in the second leg of their third qualifying round match, advancing with a 3-1 aggregate score.

The Südbaden team, featuring players like Vincenzo Grifo, will first travel to Scotland for the initial leg on Thursday, August 15. The decisive return match is scheduled for August 27 in Freiburg. Motherwell's victory over Helsinki was largely thanks to striker Ibrahim Said, who scored both goals in the 47th and 60th minutes of the second leg.

Should Freiburg successfully navigate these playoffs, they will enter the league phase of the Conference League, which begins on October 15. Unlike the Europa League and Champions League, the Conference League features a shorter league stage with six matchdays, followed by knockout rounds starting in mid-February and the Round of 16 in mid-March.

The final of the Conference League will be held in Istanbul on June 2, 2027. This marks a return to the city where Freiburg lost the Europa League final to Aston Villa in May. Before their European commitments, Freiburg will also participate in the DFB-Pokal, facing Fortuna Düsseldorf in the first round on August 23. The new Bundesliga season commences a week later with a home game against Werder Bremen.