SC Freiburg

This weekend’s clash with Union Berlin could be a key moment in determining whether SC will be able to finish in the top four. Head coach Urs Fischer’s side will also be representing the Bundesliga on the European stage next season, and like SC, are still fighting for the best possible position in the table. Both sides are currently on 56 points heading into Saturday’s clash, with the Berliners just ahead of SC on goal difference. “We’re in a good position and can go into the match feeling optimistic,” said SCF head coach Christian Streich. “The same goes for Union. Like us, they have played a fantastic season so far, setting up this special clash. We’re looking forward to it.”

Timo Werner was played through on goal by Amadou Haidara, but his chip over the onrushing Mark Flekken was wide of the mark (5’).  The Germany international then fired an attempt from a similar position over the bar via a small deflection. “We had some luck at the start,” commented Streich after full time. “Sometimes you just can’t defend against things when they’re so well played-out.”

In terms of the phases of play without the ball, Streich believes his side left too much space and weren’t strong enough in the duels. Despite the areas for improvement, the head coach made it clear that his side can go into the game with confidence: “We’re playing at home and we have won our last three games in the Bundesliga, two of which have been on the road,” he explained. 

It was an intense start to the game and the action certainly didn’t stop there. Ritsu Doan cut in from the right flank and hit a shot just a few inches past the post (9’). “I felt like we were in the game at 0-0,” said Christian Streich. Shortly afterwards, the visitors were suddenly 2-0 up. Dani Olmo’s header gave them the lead (14’) and then Benjamin Henrichs was clean through to make it 2-0 a minute later (15’).

That is the main aim for SC on Thursday evening under the lights with their home fans behind them. “The atmosphere at the ground will be electric and we will give everything to take that final step,” said captain Christian Günter, sharing the same sense of anticipation as his goalkeeper. Head coach Christian Streich spoke similarly ahead of the game: “We have worked hard to get into this particular position. We are playing at home, are feeling good, are looking forward to it and are ready for the game. We are unbelievably ambitious about having a good game. This team will run through walls for each other.”

Streich and his coaching staff made one change to the team which started the 4-0 win against Schalke 04 last weekend, as Maxi Eggestein replaced the suspended Yannik Keitel. Steffen Baumgart kept the same Köln side as which started their 3-1 win over Hoffenheim last time out, which officially secured their safety for another season.

With five games remaining in the Bundesliga, Christian Streich’s side are in fourth place and more and more questions are being asked about where the team is aiming to be at the end of the season. “It will be a difficult away game for us,” said Matthias Ginter ahead of the game against Köln, who are relatively safe in mid table. “After full time we’ll have a clearer idea of where our season is going.”

The quick lead helped Christian Streich’s side forget all about the yellow-card suspensions to Maximilian Eggestein and Roland Sallai. They were replaced in the starting formation by Yannik Keitel and Gregoritsch, who had recently been struggling with an ankle problem. Lucas Höler also shook off a cold in time for the match and lined up alongside Gregoritsch in attack.

Their opponents from Gelsenkirchen are level on points with VfB Stuttgart (16th) in 17th place after their brilliant 5-2 win against direct rivals Hertha BSC. While SCF have often struggled against lower-placed sides in previous years, they are still unbeaten against teams from the bottom half of the table this season.

Michael Gregoritsch did not travel to Bremen due to a knock, with Roland Sallai replacing him in the starting XI. Lukas Kübler also came into the side for Kiliann Sildillia. SC began in a 3-4-3, with Vincenzo Grifo, Lucas Höler and Sallai in attack.