SC Freiburg managed to get back to winning ways in Europe with a hard-fought win away at Mohamed Salah's Trabzonspor.

SC Freiburg earned a hard-fought win in their UEFA Europa Conference League trip to Trabzonspor. Julian Schuster's side are now level on points with their hosts after ending Thomas Reis’ seven-game winning start at the Turkish side.

Despite the electric atmosphere from the home fans, Freiburg were calm in possession from the first whistle. They thoroughly deserved the opening goal that arrived in the 14th minute from a set-piece opportunity.

André Onana saved Igor Matanović's powerful header from Vincenzo Grifo's corner-kick delivery, but the rebound fell kindly to Lukas Kübler as the all-rounder scored his fifth European goal with a simple finish.

The Cameroonian goalkeeper was at fault for Freiburg's next chance, although Matanović left him off the hook with a weak effort. Trabzonspor had the first real chance with Ernest Muçi's effort from outside the box moments after Mohamed Salah's deflected free-kick.

Freiburg threatened to double their lead from set-piece situations as Batista Mendy made a crucial block to deny the captain Maximilian Eggestein before Onana dealt with Grifo's direct free-kick. Salah had his first open play chance before the half-time break, but his effort was wide off the mark. At the other end, Grifo's customary shot similarly failed to hit the target before Cyriaque Irié's unsuccessful header.

The home fans put the referee Kristo Tohvar under pressure early after the restart as he waved play to continue following an incident inside Freiburg's box involving Paul Onuachu and Kübler. The Nigerian striker then created a big chance for Salah, but Mio Backhaus made his first big save from close range.

For the first time in the game, the Bundesliga side were under immense pressure with all the action restricted to one half of the pitch. However, they managed to weather Trabzon's second-half storm as Backhaus and his defenders dealt with several crosses into the box. Thanks to their first clean sheet since matchday 3 in Bundesliga, last season's Europa League finalists have now won three consecutive games in different competitions.

Freiburg will host Union Berlin before the international break as they hope to stay in the top three of the Bundesliga. Their remaining Europa Conference League games will see them face Twente (H), Panathinaikos (H) and Kauno Zalgiris (A).