Freiburg play out stalemate in Plzen – but extend unbeaten run

Freiburg extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League, though they will be disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Viktoria Plzen.

Freiburg, so efficient on the road against Nice last time out, were anything but that throughout the first half in Plzen.

Julian Schuster’s men did well to work several opportunities in the final third, but were unable to make the killer pass in and around the box. 

Plzen, on the other hand, carried on growing and growing into the match as a result, and believed that they had taken the lead in the 38th minute, when Rafiu Durosinmi met a beautiful inswinging corner and headed home from six yards out. 

However, the goal was soon chalked off due to a Vaclav Jemelka foul on Freiburg’s Phillip Lienhart. 

The hosts were in charge heading into the break, but both sides went back in with the scores level. 

Schuster would turn to Eintracht Frankfurt loanee Igor Matnovic after the break, after a rather hapless Junior Adamu performance up top in the first half for Die Breisgauer.

Though the visitors continued to struggle when it came to finding any sort of rhythm, with no real quality on show from either side. 

Durosinmi came close for the hosts in the 81st minute after a neat ball was clipped to the back stick, but his side-footed volley did not have the required direction to trouble Noah Atubolu.

With the much-needed quality not arriving for either side, the scores finished level in Plzen. While Freiburg will be disappointed with a stalemate, they remain unbeaten in the Europa League and well on course for an automatic spot in the round of 16.