SC Freiburg

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.

SC, meanwhile, have dealt well with the added workload that comes with competing in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Europa League, and remain on track to qualify for Europe once again. The final weeks of the season will be crucial in determining where the team end the season. “We have achieved the maximum possible for us at the moment. We’re very satisfied with how things have gone so far, but are still ambitious enough to say that we’re heading to Bremen looking to win again,” said Christian Streich.

Similarly to the quarterfinal tie against Bayern Munich, SC will take on their Pokal opponents twice within a few days. They will face RB Leipzig at the Europa-Park Stadion on 2nd/3rd May in Pokal and will welcome Marco Rose’s side the following weekend in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg looked disciplined in the opening stages and they had the first real opportunity of the game, when Ritsu Doan slipped through Vincenzo Grifo on the left-hand-side. The Italy international, who recently turned 30, got a good connection, but his shot was blocked by Pavard (5’).  A few minutes later, Mark Flekken was tested for the first time when Serge Gnabry fired a powerful header towards goal. The Dutchman got down superbly well to palm the ball away with a strong hand (9’).

You could watch the goals from Tuesday over and over again, firstly the skillful, precise volley from Nicolas Höfler to equalise. “Chicco’s finish was pure quality,” said his coach. Then came the bold but perfectly placed penalty from Lucas Höler to make it 2-1, which was the final score. The defensive work that the team put in throughout the game was at least as important, however. “We have to defend everything,” Streich demanded before the cup match. The team did just that.

“We thought long and hard about how we would go up against Bayern,” explained head coach Christian Streich after full-time. “The team did a lot of  good stuff off the ball, we made life difficult for Bayern and had the right gaps between our players. I’ve lost so often in Munich, I think we can be allowed to win this one here!”

The team is not lacking any motivation, with the prize at stake a place in the semifinals and the best four teams in Germany. “We’re all really looking forward to the game. Luckily instead of having training tomorrow, we have a cup quarterfinal against FC Bayern,” said Streich, who admits to having tried a number of different approaches in Munich in the past, but was also full of praise of what the team has achieved recently. “We were in the last 16 of the Europa League, DFB-Pokal final last May and now we’re in the quarters again this season. That’s sensational. We don’t have anything to lose now, nor do we have anything to give away.”

“With his quality, patience and humility, Kiliann has earned a settled place in our team. It is nice to see that these attributes can continue to lead us to our goals,” said sporting director Klemens Hartenbach. “His strength in duels, practical nature and flexibility really set him apart. Now, we will work together to continue his development further.”

It was a quiet start to the game, during which the guests had more of the ball: Hertha also had the first chance of the game after ten minutes. Lucas Tousart drove past Kenneth Schmidt on the right side of the penalty box and put a flat cross in, only finding Matthias Ginter. Ginter was playing in a back three alongside Manuel Gulde and the aforementioned Schimdt, who was making his first Bundesliga start for Freiburg. Lukas Kübler was absent today due to illness. As well as Schmidt, Lucas Höler was a new face in the starting XI compared to SCF’s most recent 1-1 draw against FSV Mainz 05. He replaced the suspended Michael Gregoritsch. 

After “two dropped points against Mainz”, Streich wants to get back to winning ways against the ‘Old Lady’. “This game is really important for us, especially when you look at the table. It will be an even game. We will have to give our all to beat Hertha.”