"It's clear we'd like to end the year with another good performance. But both teams obviously want that," said Gerardo Seoane in describing the situation ahead of the clash in Freiburg. SCF are definitely one of the surprise teams of this Bundesliga season. Freiburg have picked up 26 points from 16 games and are currently fifth in the table. In addition, the team under coach Christian Streich have the strongest defence in the league at the moment having conceded just 15 goals. "They are compact and very disciplined," declared the Werkself coach.
The Swiss boss will have to manage without Moussa Diaby on Sunday. The Frenchman was shown two yellow cards in the game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and will therefore miss the last game of the year. In addition to Diaby, only Julian Baumgartlinger and Mitchel Bakker are definitely sidelined. Jeremie Frimpong will return to the squad after serving a one-match ban.
The Dutchman is a candidate for the starting line-up as is his teammate Patrik Schick. The Czech striker is currently in a rich vein of form and has scored all of the Werkself's last eight goals in the Bundesliga. "He's a sensational striker who has both technical and physical qualities," said Seoane in praise of his player who has now netted 16 goals in the first half of the season (plus three assists) and thereby set a new club record – the previous one was set by Ulf Kirsten in 1997/98 with 14 goals up to the winter break.
"Of course," said the coach, "Patrik is in top form. But a centre-forward always needs a good provider." The Werkself have that in the shape of Diaby, Wirtz, Adli and Co. Nevertheless, Seoane emphasises "how important a number nine is for our game." And, with Schick and Lucas Alario, there are two strikers who "can also find the back of the net."
In Christian Streich, there is a man in the dugout at Freiburg who enjoys the utmost respect from the Swiss coach. "His personality and his humanity are impressive. In addition, he's a fantastic coach who has got more than the maximum out of SC Freiburg for years," said the 43-year-old, who again pointed to the balance of the league ahead of the last Bundesliga match of the year. "The fact a lot of teams are close together, says a lot for a certain concentration of performance," said Seoane. "It will be a difficult game – not just for us but for any team that has to play at Freiburg."
After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Kennet Eichhorn. Bayer 04 have signed the 16-year-old midfielder from Hertha Berlin. Read on to find out more about our new signing.
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