SC Freiburg also played their third group match in the Europa League on Thursday. And, like the Werkself, the team under coach Christian Streich also clocked up a win. SCF initially found it hard going in the 3-1 victory at Serbian club Backa Topola and they went into half-time a goal down. They upped their game after the restart. Above all thanks to Vincenzo Grifo. The German-Italian once again proved himself to be the match winner with his hat-trick. But Streich was happy with the performance of his whole team in the second half: "We have very good lads in terms of character who are able to be critical. I'm very happy we turned the game around." As West Ham United lost away to Olympiakos, Freiburg are top of Group A level on points with the London team.
The team from the Breisgau also won in the Bundesliga last weekend. They beat VfL Bochum 2-1 at home with goals from Ritsu Doan and Vincenzo Grifo. It was the fourth win in eight league games. The other matches ended in a draw and three defeats. SCF have made a decent start to the season and are now in eighth place on 13 points.
Three days after the match at the BayArena, Freiburg entertain SC Paderborn at the Europa Park Stadium in the second round of the DFB Pokal. They beat Oberliga side SV Oberachern 2-0 in the first round.
As big as the joy was after the 3-1 victory in Serbia on Thursday, SCF were hit hard in terms of personnel. Forwards Roland Sallai and Maximilian Philipp were substituted in the first half. The in-form Sallai suffered a thigh injury and Philipp landed on his shoulder after an aerial duel. It seems highly probable neither will play in Leverkusen and they may also be ruled out for the next couple of weeks.
The captain Christian Günter is definitely sidelined. The 30-year-old left-back faces a long lay-off due to an infection after a broken arm. Also unavailable in Leverkusen, in addition to Günter, are Max Rosenfelder (knee) plus the midfielders Yannik Keitel (rehab training after groin injury) and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (rehab after torn cruciate).
Noah Weißhaupt started on the left flank for the first time this season in the 2-1 win against Bochum. The former U21 international, noted for his dribbling ability, caused problems in Serbia on Thursday with his forward runs. The more defensive option in this position would be Lukas Kübler. On the other flank, Streich has recently favoured the Japanese player Ritsu Doan, also a very attacking wing-back.
Following the departure of Mark Flekken to play for Brentford in goal, Noah Atubolu is now the SCF goalkeeper. The 21-year-old keeper came through the Freiburg academy like many of his teammates. The new number one did not have any Bundesliga experience but he has done very well so far. In front of Atubolu in defence are the duo of Philipp Lienhart/Matthias Ginter. If Streich opts to play a back three, as against Bochum and Topolo, then Manuel Gulde (32) has a good chance of starting. Ball winning, experience and vision favour Gulde according to Streich. "Manu is almost always solid and can always score with his head."
Indispensable in central midfield is Maximilian Eggestein who has started every game this term. Nicolas Höfler returned to play alongside him against Bochum after having been suspended for three matches. Once again, Vincenzo Grifo is the most dangerous Freiburg player in attack with six goals and four assists in twelve games. Alternatives in place of Maximilian Philipp and Roland Sallai up front are Michael Gregoritsch and Lucas Höler as well as summer signing Junior Adamu (RB Salzburg).
SC Freiburg have been seen as one of the most dangerous teams from set pieces for years. Up to now SCF have only scored four goals from dead balls in the league. But Vincenzo Grifo added to the total confirming his reputation as a set piece maestro in the recent 3-1 win in the Europa League. With four headed goals and only one goal conceded from a header, Freiburg are considered to be one of the strongest Bundesliga teams in aerial duels. The Streich team also has the highest number of successful challenges (53%). SCF have also been in the top five of the strongest defences over the past two seasons. They have kept three clean sheets this term. If the team from Baden had not conceded nine goals against Stuttgart (0-5) and Borussia Dortmund (2-4) then they would be in a much better position this season.
Could have, would have, would be, if: Christian Streich was annoyed by a "terrible" goal conceded by his team in Serbia on Thursday saying they had acted badly in this situation. The Freiburg defence has not been consistently solid. And SCF have frequently stuttered up front. Nine goals in eight games: Only FC Köln, Bochum and Mainz in positions 16, 17 and 18 in the league have scored fewer goals than Freiburg. It is true SCF have often been unlucky in finishing. Seven shots against the woodwork is the highest number of all the Bundesliga teams.
Given the crowded fixture list coming up, Christian Streich is understandably concerned about the personnel situation after the game at Backa Topola where Sallai and Philipp were injured. "The fact the two players are sidelined at a stage like this is obviously a catastrophe for us from a football perspective," said the coach who expects an "extremely tough game" for his team in Leverkusen on Sunday. "We know what we’ll face. That means suffering, suffering, suffering, we need a high tolerance of frustration as you won't get the ball back that often." On the other hand, his team turned the last two games round and ended up winning. "Now we are playing in Leverkusen and we will put 100% into our game on the pitch." Midfielder Nicolas Höfler knows, "that we’ll have to work very hard there." But it is also clear, "that we can't put up a wall for 90 minutes. We have to use possession to help us save energy as well. Running after the ball for 90 minutes against Leverkusen – gives you no chance as they just take you apart."
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