Motherwell and Freiburg meet at Fir Park on Thursday in the play-off
round of the Conference League. Riches
await the winner.
This attempt at reaching the Conference League proper was earned with
wins against HB Torshaven and HJK Helsinki but this tie presents a much higher
hurdle.
Although this will be Freiburg’s first competitive match they have had a
comprehensive pre-season programme that culminated in a 3-0 defeat of Crystal
Palace at the weekend. It included a
pre-arranged 30 minutes of extra-time to boost fitness levels.
They lost in May’s Europa League final to Aston Villa and qualified for
the Conference with seventh place in the Bundesliga. Last season they reached the Cup semi-final
(and while Motherwell have a free weekend between the legs Freiburg will face Fortuna
Dusseldorf in the first round on Sunday).
They are clear favourites .
Yet the challenge has been grasped by Alfred Johansson and his
team. A test against a club experienced
in Uefa competitions will be a measure of progress for him and his developing
squad.
The setback suffered in Stenhousemuir has to be viewed as an unfortunate
exception in what was a good start to the season. It will be a much more recognisable ‘Well
side on show on Thursday. Look to the
eleven that started a week ago for a better guide.
Joe Hodge will hope to follow up his first hour in claret and amber with
some time on the Fir Park pitch. Oscar
Priestman picked up a calf injury against Falkirk and will be a doubt. Tawanda Maswanhise scored from the penalty
spot in Helsinki but has yet to find the spark that made him unplayable last
campaign. This would be an ideal time to
shine.
The Steelmen will be backed by an enthusiastic home support and we can expect at least 1,000 travelling from the Black Forest. The tie may remain alive after a 1-0 defeat.
