LOOK AHEAD: SC Freiburg

Third fixture against Freiburg. The record is evenly balanced and shows one victory for each side. While VfL racked up a victory in the first game, the team from Breisgau managed to win the cup tie. Now Bochum will be travelling to the brand-new Europa-Park Stadium for the final clash. Here’s our LOOK AHEAD on SC Freiburg.

THE TEAM

SC Freiburg have been playing a tremendous season so far. Currently fifth in the table, reaching the semi finals of the DFB-Pokal. A squad that has become a real unit – and therefore got along without top new signings last summer. Maximilian Eggestein was signed from relegated club Werder Bremen, Schlotterbeck returned from Berlin where he played on a loan base. Apart from that head coach Christian Streich has integrated some young talents such as Kevin Schade or recently Noah Weißhaupt. Successfully. Especially Schlotterbeck is playing a remarkable season and might be on the list of numerous top clubs. The new German international is said to be transferred to Dortmund or Bayern next season. Midfielder Vincenzo Grifo has already achieved 17 scorer points and is at the same time Freiburg’s most successful goal scorer. 46 goals in total were scored by several players in squad. Up front Nils Petersen is still doing his thing. He scored four of his five goals after his substitution, the experienced player has meanwhile scored more than 100 goals and is therefore Freiburg’s best poacher ever.

THE HEAD COACH

What to say about Christian Streich!? He’s one of a kind, one of the most informative characters in German football. He has made 318 Bundesliga appearances as Freiburg head coach. He won 105 of them, so Streich has become Freiburg’s most successful head coach, ahead of legendary Volker Finke. No end in sight, because also in the current campaign Streich compiled a team that is stirring up the league and is on its best way to qualify for the Europa League. But that’s going to be a big challenge as Freiburg – currently ranking on position five – have a four-point advantage to Hoffenheim and Union Berlin.

THE RECORD

Freiburg are eager to take their next step against VfL. But Breisgau side is aware: not a sure success at all. After all they suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first match, when Milos Pantovic sealed the deal for Bochum with one of his well-known wondergoals. At the beginning of the second half Freiburg could take the lead back then, Sebastian Polter immediately brought Bochum level. The rest is history. Lop by Milos, another three points. Things got bitter when it came to the DFB Cup quarter final. It was a tough clash for 120 minutes before Maxim Leitsch committed a fatal blunder in the very last minute. Still the overall balance is in favour of VfL. 21 Bundesliga fixtures and cup ties, 9 victories for the lads, 8 for SC.