Freiburg remain unbeaten in Europa League with 1-0 over Salzburg

Freiburg beat 10-man Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday to remain unbeaten in the Europa League for a place in the knock-outs and on course towards direct entry into the last 16.

Philipp Lienhart got the last touch on Niklas Beste's low speculative shot in the 50th for the winner.

Salzburg where down to 10 men in the 37th when Petar Ratkov was sent off for elbowing Maximilian Eggestein in the face in an aerial duel, the red card coming upon review after he was originally only booked.

Freiburg had earlier come close from Yuito Suzuki and Eggestein's header while Salzburg almost stole the lead from Edmund Baidoo shortly after Ratkov's dismissal.

The hosts stepped up their efforts after the break and the goal soon came, with Beste's low effort taking several deflections before going in off Austrian Lienhart against his countrymen.

Matthias Ginter headed wide as Freiburg were in control, and Beste missed the target from a tight right angle.

"The home win was brutally important. My goal was not the most beautiful but the three points were very important," Lienhart told broadcasters RTL.

Freiburg have 14 points from four victories and two draws and have secured a top 24 finish to reach the knock-outs with two games to spare.

In fifth they are also well placed to qualify directly for the last 16 for which a top-eight finish is needed, while the teams ranked ninth to 24th go into play-off ties. Salzburg face elimination with three points.