Motherwell ended their European Tour in Freiburg following a 4-1 defeat but there is no shame in losing to the Bundesliga side.
The Steelmen stuck to their principles and tried to play the game in the way that led to their qualification but they were always outsiders against the top seeds in the play-off draw.
With Martin Moorman suspended and Regan Charles-Cook on the bench Ewan Wilson and Seb Palmer-Houlden made the starting eleven. Motherwell got the game underway with the support of around 1,400 fans at their back.
Any high expectations were dampened with just five minutes on the clock. A ball through the square defensive line released Derry Scherhant for a run in on goal and he scored.
It took some time for Motherwell to settle but a few periods of possession calmed the situation although Freiburg had the bulk of the ball. Alex Lowry flashed a free kick across the six yard box but Jamie Knight-Lebel was flagged offside.
The away enclave got their moment of celebration midway through the half. An attack faltered and Ibrahim Said flicked the ball to Emmanuel Longelo. He set off on a lung bursting run that ended with a low shot from outside the penalty area. Mio Backhaus fluffed the save and the ball crossed the line to level the game.
The home side had plenty of chances and good work from Alex Paulsen and some help from the woodwork left the game 1-1 at the break.
Tom Sparrow replaced Tawanda Maswanhise as the second period got underway but the contest was ended on the hour. Jake Girdwood-Reich was outpaced and clipped his man for a red card. The resulting free kick was well saved by Paulsen at the cost of a corner.
Two goals followed in as many minutes both from corners on Motherwell’s right. Matanovic and Irie nodded home with little resistance. With a man advantage the white shirts camped in Motherwell’s last third and took turns at goal.
Alfred Johansson turned to his bench to offer fresh legs as Motherwell tried to shut up shop. Brave defending followed but a fourth goal was conceded with five minutes. Goto ended the scoring.
The ‘Well support cheered and applauded the team throughout the game and at the end gave them a standing ovation.
It’s back to the SPFL on Sunday with a trip to Paisley.
Freiburg 4 Motherwell 1 (Agg 7-2)
Attendance:
Team: Paulsen, Wilson, Knight-Lebel, Girwood-Reich, Hodge (Whyte 64), Longelo, Fadinger, Lowry (Williams 75), Said (Vogt 64)d, Palmer-Houlden (Charles-Cook 64), Maswanhise (Sparrow 46)
Thursday 27 August 2026
