Europa League Showdown: Freiburg Hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv with Round of 16 Spot in Sight
Freiburg will host Maccabi Tel Aviv in a crucial UEFA Europa League league phase match on January 22, 2026. While Freiburg aims to secure a direct spot in the Round of 16, Maccabi Tel Aviv is already mathematically out of contention for the knockout stages. Freiburg boasts a strong home record and will look to maintain their momentum.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This UEFA Europa League league phase Round 7 match at Europa-Park-Stadion holds significant importance for the home side, Freiburg. Currently sitting 5th in the Europa League standings, Freiburg has already secured at least a playoff spot, but they are aiming for direct qualification to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the league phase. In contrast, Maccabi Tel Aviv is currently in 35th position and is mathematically out of contention for the next round, meaning they will be playing for pride. This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two teams. Freiburg's impressive seven-game home winning streak in this competition will undoubtedly boost their confidence.
Recent Form
Freiburg has shown steady form in their last five official matches across all competitions, recording two wins, two draws, and one loss. This includes a 2-2 draw against Augsburg and a 4-3 victory over Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, alongside a 2-0 defeat to RB Leipzig. Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, has a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five outings. Their recent domestic results include a 1-1 draw with Ironi Tiberias, a 1-0 win against Sakhnin, and a 3-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem. However, they suffered a significant 4-1 loss to Maccabi Haifa in their most recent fixture, indicating some inconsistency.
Key Players & Injury News
Key players for Freiburg include forward Vincenzo Grifo, who is a driving force in their attack, midfielder Maximilian Eggestein, and defensive stalwarts Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart. Regarding injuries, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh remains a long-term absentee due to fitness issues. Philipp Lienhart suffered an abdominal muscle injury on January 11th and might be just returning or doubtful for this match. Matthias Ginter was also ill on January 14th, and his availability is uncertain. Max Rosenfelder is sidelined with a hamstring injury. For Maccabi Tel Aviv, top goalscorer Dor Peretz is a crucial attacking threat. Defensive midfielder Kristijan Belic, who recovered from a hamstring injury in December, is expected to be available. However, Denny Gropper and Ion Nicolaescu are long-term absentees with cruciate ligament tears, expected out until July 2026. Raz Shlomo is also dealing with an unknown injury sustained in January, making his participation doubtful.