Beşiktaş
MKE Ankaragücü
Altay
Manisa FK
E. Frankfurt
Augsburg
Ath. Bilbao
Granada
Genoa
Lazio
Cagliari
Juventus
Nice
Lorient
Christian Streich’s side play their second home game in the space of four days and will look to build on a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday after a shock on the first game after the winter break, when SCF lost 6-0 in Wolfsburg last weekend.
Wednesday’s draw saw Freiburg demonstrate the typical that have been evident in the majority of their games this season – strong in duels, courageous and willing to attack. The clash against the defending Europa League champions also showed something else, however, which head coach Streich mentioned at Friday’s press conference. “The team did really well against Frankfurt, but it was only enough to get a draw. That shows you what kind of demands we’re under.”
Höfler to miss out against Bavarians
The head coach will be without Nicolas Höfler, who is suspended for the weekend’s game. Streich didn’t indicate who will replace the central midfielder in his line up, but it definitely won’t be Marlin Röhl. The new signing, who was in the matchday squad against Frankfurt, has travelled to Aue with the U23 squad. Robert Wagner and Roland Sallai will be in contention to play, however, while Vincenzo Grifo is also an option for the starting XI after overcoming his illness.
The Italian scored the second goal in the reverse fixture, a free kick in what turned out to be a 4-0 SCF win. But for Streich, Enrico Maaßen’s side don’t have much in common with the one that Freiburg defeated on the first game of the season. “It will be a tough task against a robust and tactically strong side, who will not have forgotten the result from the last game and will be out for revenge.”
Freiburg are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run against Augsburg. SCF fans may also take some confidence ahead of the weekend’s matchup in the knowledge that Streich’s side have not lost at home in over five months – the most recent defeat at the Europa-Park Stadion came on 12th August against Borussia Dortmund (3-1).
“I’m convinced that the energy is there and I’m hoping that the crowd can give us that final push and spur the boys on – they are an absolute motivation for us. If we can channel this synergy, it can be a good day for us,” said Streich. The conditions for that are good, with the home section sold-out.
