Freiburg are heading into Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg with their heads held high, determined to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Braga and punch their ticket to the final. After a heartbreaking stoppage-time winner from Mario Dorgeles in the first leg, the German side knows the task ahead is steep—but they're not backing down.

"After the first leg, Braga naturally has the slightly better starting position. But we have the confidence to turn the result around here at home," said coach Julian Schuster during Wednesday's press conference. His words reflect a team that's been battle-tested this season, and now they're ready to lean on home-field advantage at the Europa-Park Stadion.

Schuster acknowledged the quality of their Portuguese opponents, noting, "We are aware that when you play in a European semi-final, you face a team with quality. We have to accept that, both us on the pitch and those in the stands." Yet, he emphasized that the squad doesn't need to do anything out of the ordinary. "These are extraordinary circumstances, but we don't need anything extra special in our own approach. Everyone else, of course, is free to make the game as big a deal as possible. It takes over the entire city."

For Freiburg, this is more than just a match—it's a chance to make history. The club is bidding for its first-ever European final, and the entire city is buzzing with anticipation. Defender Matthias Ginter summed up the emotion perfectly: "Anyone who reaches the semi-finals naturally does everything they can to make it to the final. For the people here at the club who have been here for so long, the fans, everyone in the city, I simply wish it for them."

With a passionate home crowd behind them and a belief that they can flip the script, Freiburg are ready to give it everything they've got. Will they pull off the comeback and secure a spot in the final? All eyes are on Thursday night.