Borussia Dortmund put four past Freiburg to seal Champions League qualification in style

Seeking to capitalise on Freiburg’s divided attentions before their UEFA Europa League (UEL) semi-final next week, Dortmund hit the ground running and struck first after just eight minutes.

Ramy Bensebaini lofted a pass over the defence, which Maximilian Beier collected before cutting in from the left flank and slotting his shot under Noah Atubolu.

Freiburg’s efforts to respond were swiftly repelled, and the home team extended their lead as Samuele Inacio surged forward and fed Julian Brandt, whose exquisite chipped pass allowed Serhou Guirassy to poke the ball home from near the six-yard line.

Dortmund’s convincing triumphs over Freiburg at this venue were becoming a regular occurrence, and they pushed on when Julian Ryerson swung in a corner that an unchallenged Bensebaini nodded past the keeper from close quarters.

Nevertheless, Freiburg mounted a stronger challenge as the interval approached, and they appeared to have pulled one back shortly after the restart, only for Vincenzo Grifo’s delivery to be headed home by the slightly offside Lukas Kubler.

Content to hold their advantage, Dortmund retreated somewhat, inviting Freiburg to press for a reply, though only Lucas Holer’s effort that drifted wide truly tested them.

With around 10 minutes left, Freiburg seemed to abandon hopes of a remarkable recovery, letting Dortmund dominate possession and add to their tally.

Daniel Svensson gathered the ball on the right edge of the box and crossed into the throng, where substitute Fabio Silva twisted and fired a composed strike into the bottom-right corner.

Dortmund have not missed out on UCL involvement since Jurgen Klopp’s last campaign, and they might secure a sixth runner-up spot in that era come next weekend.

On the other hand, while this defeat hampers Freiburg’s continental ambitions, success in the UEL could still see them alongside Dortmund at the elite European level.