Julian Schuster does not believe he will have to say much to motivate his Freiburg players as they look to overturn a Europa League semi-final deficit against Braga.

Freiburg will welcome the Portuguese side to Europa-Park Stadion for the second leg of their last-four tie on Thursday, having slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat last week.

A stoppage-time error from goalkeeper Noah Atubolu – who had earlier denied Rodrigo Zalazar from the penalty spot – allowed substitute Mario Dorgeles to pounce from close range in the 92nd minute, giving Carlos Vincens' side the advantage in the tie. 

However, each of the last three Portuguese sides to win the first leg of a Europa League tie beyond the round of 16 have still failed to progress (Benfica in 2018-19 and 2023-24, Braga themselves in 2021-22).

And, as Freiburg attempt to become the third German club to reach the Europa League final in the last five editions (also Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021-22 and Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24), Schuster believes it is all to play for.

"At the moment, you don't have to dig too deep to get through to the players, we are very focused, extremely focused," he told reporters.

"There are limits [to what I can say], they don't need the coach to be able to fall asleep at night. The players talk to each other a lot.

"Of course, on the street the fans talk to us, ask us for tickets. The fans can make the game as big as they want, it's uniting the whole city, it's the strength of football, of Freiburg."

Braga have won eight matches in the Europa League this season (D3 L2), though, with only two other Portuguese sides winning more in a single campaign (including the UEFA Cup) – 12 for Porto in 2010-11 and nine for Sporting in 2004-05.

And Schuster is well aware of the challenges they will pose for his team.

Asked how he expected Thursday's visitors to approach the game, he said: "Looking at the previous games, they usually have the same plan. 

"I think it will be a mix. They will have the normal gameplan, but of course, this small advantage can change some things. 

"For us, what is important is to know that Braga have quality, they are good in possession, and we have to accept that, but in recent games we had many positive moments. 

"That will help the atmosphere in the stadium, especially for a semi-final. We have to be prepared for when Braga have the ball and create chances, and we have to create our chances."