SC Freiburg kicked off their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 2-1 victory over FC Basel at the Europa-Park Stadion, but it was Philip Otele who left the lasting impression with a brilliant late strike for the visitors.

Basel, making their first UEL group-stage appearance in six years, almost grabbed an early lead through Albian Ajeti, only to be denied by Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu’s diving save, Footballrover reports.

Philip Otele Scores a Stunning Late Goal

That moment proved vital as Patrick Osterhage broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with a powerful left-footed strike from distance.

The hosts doubled their lead after the break when Vincenzo Grifo’s delivery was headed goalwards by Maximilian Eggestein, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had crossed despite Mirko Salvi’s attempted save.

Basel’s hopes seemed dashed until substitute Otele produced a moment of brilliance in the 85th minute.

Introduced in the 58th minute for Ibrahim Salah, the 26-year-old forward wasted no time in making an impact, reminding fans why he has quickly become one of Red and Blue’s key attacking weapons since last season.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, the Nigerian forward curled a stunning effort beyond Atubolu to give his side a lifeline.

The strike was Otele’s fourth goal of the season, adding to his two assists and taking his tally to six goal contributions in 11 appearances.

Why Otele’s Goal Matters

Otele’s performance for the Swiss side fell short as RotBlau ultimately failed to find the equaliser till the final whistle.

While Freiburg celebrated a fifth straight home win in the competition, RotBlau can draw encouragement from Otele’s goal as they prepare to host Stuttgart in early October.

If he continues this run, the Nigerian could be the driving force in their push for the knockout rounds.

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Last Updated on September 25, 2025 3:47 pm by footballrover