Opponent analysis: SC Freiburg vs. RB Leipzig on 2nd May 2023

SCF vs. RBL: Head to head

RB Leipzig have their sights set on the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin. First, they must get past SC Freiburg on Tuesday evening (20:45 CEST), in what will be a repeat of last season’s cup final.

Back then, RBL won 4-2 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.) to win their first major title in club history. We can expect another close game this time around.

Read on for a full analysis of our upcoming opponents in our Opponent Analysis.

SC Freiburg’s recent form

SC Freiburg are enjoying a very successful season so far, and are one of the sides competing with RBL for a Champions League spot. The Breisgau side are virtually guaranteed to qualify for Europe for the second season in a row for the first time in their history.

Christian Streich’s side have needed plenty of late goals to help them reach the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal this term. His side knocked out FC Bayern München in the quarterfinals, with the winning goal coming from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of injury time (2-1).

Key facts:

SC Freiburg…

…have lost just one of their last 11 Bundesliga games (1-0 vs. Bayern).
…haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last 11 Bundesliga games.

Team news

Key players:

Matthias Ginter was one of Freiburg’s marquee signings last summer. The Germany international returned to his hometown club after his contract at Borussia Mönchengladbach ended and has been a solid presence in defence. He is the only player to have featured for the full 90 minutes in every Bundesliga game this season.
Vincenzo Grifo is one of the most dangerous set-piece takers in the league, with a strong right foot. His performances have seen him earn a call up to the Italian national team during his time at SC.
Freiburg also secured the services of Michael Gregoritsch last summer. The striker joined from FC Augsburg, and has scored 10 Bundesliga goals this season. He bagged a brace in their most recent match against Schalke.

Injuries:

Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who joined from FC St. Pauli over the summer, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL tear during training earlier this year. Other than the attacker, Streich has a full squad to choose from for Tuesday’s clash.

Head coach

Christian Streich extended his contract with SC Freiburg once again in March. The 57-year-old has been at the club for 11 years and four months and is catching up to Volker Finke, who spent 16 uninterrupted years at SC.

Streich is known for being calm and well-spoken during his press conferences, and a vocal presence on the sidelines. Under his charge, Freiburg have established themselves in the top half of the table. It’s not wonder why the Breisgau side are in the running for a Champions League place this season.

RBL’s record vs. SC Freiburg

Head-to-head:

8 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses- 31:18 goals
5 home wins, 2 away wins, 1 win on neutral ground (DFB-Pokal final)
Top goalscorer: Timo Werner (7 goals)
Biggest win: 4-0 on 15th April 2017 (Goals: Yussuf Poulsen, Timo Werner, Naby Keïta, Diego Demme)

Last five meetings:

9th November 2022 | Bundesliga, Matchday 14: RB Leipzig – SC Freiburg 3-1
21st May 2022 | DFB-Pokal, final: SC Freiburg – RB Leipzig 2-4 on pens. (1-1 a.e.t.)
5th March 2022 | Bundesliga, Matchday 25: RB Leipzig – SC Freiburg 1-1
16th October 2021 | Bundesliga, Matchday 8: SC Freiburg – RB Leipzig 1-1
6th March 2021 | Bundesliga, Matchday 24: SC Freiburg – RB Leipzig 0-3