Draw in first friendly of the season

SCF’s first friendly of pre-season was their opponent’s – SCR Altach’s – last. The Austrian Bundesliga side will play their first competitive game of the 2024/25 campaign next weekend in the ÖFB-Pokal, whereas SC have four weeks until their season gets underway.

The head coaches agreed on a game consisting of two 50-minute halves, with both sides getting off to fast starts. The hosts had the better chances initially – Lukas Fridrikas found himself in the box following a counterattack and let fly, however Noah Atubolu diverted the shot around the post for a corner (12’). One minute later, SCF had their first opportunity to break the deadlock. Merlin Röhl got on the end of Vincenzo Grifo’s free kick, but he didn’t connect well enough with his header. Noah Atubolu was called into action again at the other end of the pitch and he did well to get to Lukas Fadinger’s shot (18’).

Altach thwarted Freiburg’s efforts to get forward time and again by committing tactical fouls, although this gave the visitors set pieces in very promising positions. Florent Muslija went closest, as his effort flew just over the crossbar after the first drinks break.

The home side carved out the best opportunity of the first half in the 40th minute. A number of dangerous crosses were put into the Freiburg box but, fortunately for the guests, none of the Altach players managed to poke the ball into the back of the net.

SC Freiburg made ten changes at the start of the second half, with all of the starters – save for Lukas Kübler – making way for substitutes. It was Eren Dinkci and Patrick Osterhage’s first starts in SC colours, and the latter came close to scoring with his first touch, but his header from Christian Günter’s corner whistled just off target (53’). Kenneth Schmidt also returned to action after a long spell on the sidelines and the next good chance for the visitors fell to him, as he got a shot off from around 16 yards out.

Freiburg’s next attacking move 15 minutes after the restart deserved a goal. Noah Weißhaupt slalomed his way past several opposition defenders and reached the byline, where he cut the ball back to Junior Adamu, whose shot was blocked at the very last second.

SCF looked a lot more threatening and energetic in the second round of 50 minutes as they pushed to take the lead. Weißhaupt was looking particularly lively and looked likely to put Freiburg ahead before he was brought down in the box, but the deserved penalty was not awarded by the referee (72’).

Freiburg would eventually get the goal they deserved, and in some style. Weißhaupt backheeled the ball to Günter, whose perfectly timed cross found Adamu. The attacker finished off the move perfectly and gave the visitors the lead in the 83rd minute of the match. The celebrations were cut short, however, as the Austrian side fired back with an immediate equaliser. Luca Kronberger’s effort was Altach’s first shot of the second half.

The rest of the game passed by without major incident and Freiburg’s first friendly of pre-season ended in a draw. SCF will travel to their training camp in Vorarlberg next week and will take on SpVgg Greuther Fürth next Friday in Schruns (26.07, 14:00 CEST).

SC Freiburg first half: Atubolu – Kübler, Rosenfelder, Gulde, Makengo – Muslija, Eggestein, Manzambi, Grifo – Röhl, Philipp

SC Freiburg second half Müller – Kübler (Marino 65′), Ogbus, Schmidt, Günter – Dinkci, Osterhage, Höfler (84′ Sturm), Weißhaupt – Adamu, Höler.

Goals: 0-1 Junior Adamu (83′), 1-1 Luca Kronberger (85′)
Referee: Matthias Gächter
Attendance: 1,800