The stage was set. Motherwell were one match closer to Europa Conference League football. The message from the stands… write your name in history.
It was no small task tonight as Motherwell faced last year’s Europa League finalists. Whilst many may have thought this could be a rout, that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Motherwell have become accustomed to the home stands being stowed out with fans, and tonight was no different as the Steelmen were roared onto the pitch for arguably one of the biggest games of the season. For some, the magnitude of the occasion may have rippled through the dressing room, but not for Motherwell, who came out with bravery etched across their chests, prepared to fight until the dying embers of the game.
Just as fans were settling into their seats, preparing to scoff a pie, Motherwell gave Freiburg the ultimate scare and took the lead after two minutes through Charles-Cook.
Emmanuel Longelo was tearing down the wing, nothing new for the left-back, before his fine cross was guided home by Charles-Cook, sending Fir Park into delirium. Fans looked at fellow supporters with expressions that read: Is this really happening? On a night full of expectation for Freiburg to brush little old Motherwell aside, the Steelmen certainly opened the game with a touch of class.
For 26 minutes, Motherwell were on cloud nine, and hope filtered through the stands that maybe success was written in the stars for the Steelmen. But that was slightly curtailed as Ginter nodded in the equaliser for Freiburg. A great in swinging free-kick was beautifully matched by Ginter’s sneaky run to the back post before he headed it beyond the keeper. There was, however, a quick VAR check, which left Fir Park rather ponderous as the referee indicated it was a water break and not a check. Who knew that in Scotland’s 10-degree heat you would need a water break?
It was clear from the energy in Fir Park that it would take something special to knock the belief from Motherwell. Although the second half didn’t quite follow the plan imagined, they now go to Freiburg with only a two-goal deficit to claw back.
Fir Park turned into VAR headquarters with the number of checks ongoing throughout the game. However, the decision to send off Moorman and award a penalty to Freiburg was one that left the Steelmen reeling. Yes, nobody is denying that he pulled the attacker down in the box, but to award a red card seemed very harsh, especially as it took VAR nearly three minutes to call the referee to the monitor to upgrade the card.
Ginter stepped up and squeezed the ball into the bottom corner, just inches away from the outstretched hand of Paulsen, to extend the German side’s lead. But again, Fir Park did not waver. The atmosphere remained. This was not the end.
Even with 10 men, Motherwell still deserve their plaudits. They worked tirelessly on and off the ball, were disciplined and continued to press Freiburg. In times gone by, the Steelmen would have shut up shop, barely come beyond the halfway line, but now that’s not the Motherwell way. They play with finesse and an abundance of possession.
This style was maintained until the death of the game, and as they looked towards full-time, trailing by only one goal, many would have welcomed the final whistle. However, in the 96th minute, bearing in mind only five minutes were added on, Freiburg added another.
A corner swung in wasn’t dealt with by the Motherwell defence, and Goto was there to thunder the ball into the net, sending Freiburg back to Germany with a two-goal advantage.
The battle is not over. There is every possibility Motherwell can go to Germany next week and turn the tie around. They just need to carry that belief with them, and with an army of Steelmen behind them, there is every possibility Motherwell could continue to live the dream.
All efforts will be focused on Freiburg, and everyone in the team, travelling to the match or watching from back home, will be carrying a little piece of hope in their hearts!
