Opponent analysis: SC Freiburg

RB Leipzig vs. SC Freiburg

It’s the final home game of 2022 as RB Leipzig welcome SC Freiburg to the Red Bull Arena! It promises to be an exciting clash under the floodlights against an SC side who have made great strides in recent years under their head coach Christian Streich. Here we take a look at Wednesday’s opponents in the German Values opponent analysis.

Everything you need to know: RB Leipzig vs. SC Freiburg

Form

SC Freiburg have made great strides in recent years. For a long time the Breisgauers were often amongst the favourites for relegation at the start of each season but that has certainly changed. Last season SCF qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the third time under head coach Christian Streich after finishing sixth in the Bundesliga table and they have carried on their impressive form this year. They are particularly strong on the road and they made a good impression in this season’s Europa League after they topped their group without losing a game. RB will certainly have their hands full on Wednesday night.

Squad

Transfer window

SC Freiburg did some good business in the summer. They compensated for loss of Nico Schlotterbeck with the reacquisition of Matthias Ginter from Borussia Mönchengladbach, thus swapping one Germany international for another. They also strengthened out-wide with the signing of Ritsu Doan from PSV. The 24-year-old Japanese star is a quick and tricky winger and poses a real threat to defenders. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who arrived from St. Pauli and Michael Gregoritsch, who signed from FC Augsburg have also settled in well and look dangerous at the top of the pitch.

Key players

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken had been in German football for quite some time before his move to SC Freiburg in 2018. He made his debut for the club in 2019 after initially being the number two. The 29-year-old is now very much the first choice and is also a part of the Netherlands national team.

Vincenzo Grifo is a key part of Freiburg’s attack. The left winger is not only dangerous in open play but he is also a set-piece specialist. The 29-year-old is one of the reasons why Freiburg are especially dangerous from dead ball situations.

Head coach

Ten years, ten months and eleven days! That’s how long Christian Streich has been at the helm. The 57-year-old is the longest serving current head coach in the Bundesliga and is well clear of second-placed Urs Fischer, who has been in charge of FC Union Berlin for four years, four months and nine days. It is rare that head coaches last so long in this day and age but there is good reason for it in the case of Streich. The 57-year-old is passionate, assertive and determined on the pitch but is calm, collected and thoughtful when off it, making him the perfect coach for SCF. It is not out of the realms of possibility that he will catch up with Volker Finke, who was in charge of Freiburg for 16 years.

Head-to-head

Leipzig currently lead in the head-to-head. RBL have won seven, lost four and drawn four against SC Freiburg. Everyone connected with the RB will have fond memories of a certain meeting between the two sides back on 21st May, when we secured our first trophy after beating Freiburg 4-2 on penalties in the final of the DFB-Pokal.

Recent meetings: RB Leipzig vs. SC Freiburg:

21st May 2022 | Final of the DFB-Pokal: SC Freiburg 1-1 RB Leipzig (2-4 after penalties)
5th March 2022 | Bundesliga, matchday 25: RB Leipzig 1-1 SC Freiburg
16th Oktober 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 8: SC Freiburg 1-1 RB Leipzig
6th March 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 24: SC Freiburg 0-3 RB Leipzig
7th November 2020 | Bundesliga, matchday 7: RB Leipzig 3-0 SC Freiburg