Kevin Schade was once again too fast for his opponents. And because the players from Karabakh Agdam didn't know what else to do, they rudely knocked the SC Freiburg winger off his feet twice. Schade survived the first boarding of Bahlul Mustafazada without consequences.
After a tackle by Kevin Medina, who was sent off the field with a red card, the 20-year-old had to be substituted due to an injury.
"He has pain all over his calf," said coach Christian Streich after his team's flattering 1: 1 (0: 1), in which the video referee decided three times in favor of the sports club on Thursday. "His opponent smashed him open-soled. But I hope the doctors and physiotherapists can put their minds at ease."
Schade only reported back in September after an abdominal muscle injury that had forced him to watch for several months. So far, however, he has not been allowed to play for more than 56 minutes in the Bundesliga. He was back in the starting XI for the first time in the game against Azerbaijan's champions in the capital, Baku, before the game was over after 62 minutes.
Streich hopes his player doesn't have to sit out again. "It doesn't look like it's worse," he said, referring to the home game against 1. FC Köln. "But of course you don't know if it's enough for Sunday." Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who did not even start the Europa League trip, is also questionable for this duel. "We decided to leave him at home. He has muscular problems," said Streich. "Maybe we can get him fit."
Without Kyereh and numerous top performers who were given a breather on the bench, Freiburg had a hard time against Karabakh due to the lack of automatism. Nils Petersen converted the penalty after the first foul on Schade (25'). In injury time, the hosts managed to equalize against the already established round of 16 from Breisgau.
Nevertheless, Streich was once again satisfied with the performance of his team. Finally, the Freiburgers finish the group stage undefeated as the group first. Last year's finalist is also still represented in the DFB Cup and in the Bundesliga the Sport-Club is in third place in wait.
"We couldn't have dreamed that things would go like this," said Streich. "The team achieves extraordinary things and we do everything together. And if something doesn't work, then it's shaken off and we just keep going."
Kevin Schade would also be only too happy to continue straight away. In order to be there against Cologne, the lightning-fast high-flyer of the previous season has to win the fight against time.
