There was a real bust-up going into the international break. In added time in the game against Eintracht Frankfurt, the SC Freiburg coach Christian Streich was barged by Frankfurt's captain David Abraham, a melee ensued and numerous discussions took place in the following days. That almost hid the fact that Freiburg had won the game 1-0 and moved up to fourth in the table – ahead of teams like Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 and also put them three points ahead of the Werkself. A win against SCF on Saturday could put Bayer 04 level on points. It won't be an easy undertaking as the Streich team have proved to be incredibly solid this season with a place in the top third throughout. One oddity: Freiburg's only defeats in the season to date were against two newly promoted clubs, FC Köln: (1-2) and Union Berlin (0-2). Freiburg also went out of the DFB Cup in a second round 3-1 defeat to the team from Berlin.
A very solid defence has been a hit for the side from Baden this season. Freiburg have conceded 12 goals in the league so far with only league leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach (11) and VfL Wolfsburg (10) letting in less. The coach Streich has played either a back three or back five to date to make it difficult for opponents to create chances. The SCF defence can count on their top keeper playing against the Werkself: Alexander Schwolow is expected to return in goal following a muscle injury. In front of him, Freiburg have a new international: Robin Koch (pictured above) caught the eye of Joachim Löw through his calm performances in a strong Freiburg defence and in October he made his international debut for Germany. Koch played the full 90 minutes in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Belarus helping to secure Germany's path to next year's finals. Streich is able to rely on a number of key players up front: The attacks from left back Christian Günter (with five assists as a defender this season), the eye for a goal of striker Nils Petersen (six goals so far) and the dangerous set pieces from returnee Vincenzo Grifo.
Freiburg will have to make do without the last-named player against the Werkself. In the melee after Abraham's barge, Grifo was guilty of violent conduct against the Frankfurt defender and is now serving a three-match ban. And the international break did not just bring good news from a Freiburg perspective: The second Freiburg international after Koch, the striker Luca Waldschmidt collided with the Belarus keeper Gutor shortly after coming off the bench and he suffered a facial fracture, concussion as well as injuries to his right knee and ankle. That means no more action in 2019 for the much sought-after attacker and Freiburg travel to Leverkusen without Grifo and Waldschmidt. SCF will have to come up with new ideas to make up for the lack of their two best attacking players.
The calm in Freiburg around the role model Christian Streich has made a lot happen in recent years: Europa League participation, the fourth Bundesliga season in succession, two Freiburg international players at the moment – and now the former president of SCF, Fritz Keller is the head of the DFB. The club from the Breisgau have quietly worked their way up and are now a serious proposition in German football. The next step forward involves infrastructure: Next season, the team will play in the under-construction SC Stadium that will have a capacity of 35,000, which is much more than at their current home the Schwarzwald Stadium . Freiburg are now part of the establishment in Germany's top-flight – through their own unique way.
The new stadium is designed for the Bundesliga football. It's clear that Freiburg want to remain in the top division for the first years of the SC Stadium. That appears to be a more than realistic proposition given the 12-point lead over the relegation places. And if SCF are able to deal with the absence of Waldschmidt and can continue to play the same way then the new venue could become the stage for European matches in its first season.
Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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The champions of Slovenia NK Celje are in a European competition for the fourth time in their history. This Wednesday, 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the side lead by head coach Vitor Campelos visit the BayArena for matchday 1 in the group stage in the UEFA Europa League. Celje’s last match at the weekend did not go to plan. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Construction work continues on the ‘Haus der Talente’ on Kurtekottenweg in Leverkusen, where 36 young elite athletes will find a new home from next summer. The building team from Temmink Bau, led by Thomas Wellers, are hard at work. Over the past few days, excavators, wheeled loaders and rollers have removed 2,500 cubic metres of soil to excavate the basement.
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