SC Freiburg analysis – Perfect response and jubilant mood on opening day

In one of the Bundesliga’s two all Baden-Württemberg fixtures, SC Freiburg came out on top at home against VfB Stuttgart, dispatching their neighbours by three goals to one.

The encounter did not start in the greatest of fashions for Freiburg however, who found themselves a goal down after former player Ermedin Demirovic netted for the visitors after just 84 seconds.

As the opening stages progressed, the hosts continued to gain further control after a period of VfB pressure, with a drinks break in the 22nd minute on what was a scorching day in Southern Germany proving to be a real turning point in the favour of Freiburg.

Lukas Kübler netted just two minutes after the sides returned to the pitch and from here on in, the hosts were in the ascendancy for large parts of the remaining minutes of the first half, with this carrying on to the second.

Maximillian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage gained complete control against a Stuttgart midfield of Enzo Millot and Atakan Karazor, with the former looking lost without his usual partner Angelo Stiller alongside him.

Mervin Röhl played a crucial role for Freiburg ahead of the two sitting midfielders. His energy, drive, and willingness to do the dirty work did not just add another body against a struggling VfB midfield, it provided a crucial link between Freiburg’s midfield and reliable wide-men Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Doan.

Both wingers were indeed excellent on the day, with the former getting on the scoresheet whilst Grifo found himself incredibly unlucky not to do so. Both were a complete nuisance for their respective fullback opponents, with Stuttgart’s Frans Krätzig continuing to struggle with Doan throughout the game before being replaced by Maximilian Mittelstädt following Freiburg’s third goal.

The travelling Swabians simply could not cope with the non-stop energy of Freiburg, raising huge defensive concerns for Sebastian Hoeneß moving forward. However, Julian Schuster highlighted just how important it was to be able to reset following the early break.

“We were lucky that it was hot today and we got to use that ‘drinks break’,” Schuster answered, “They [the team] adapted themselves to the game plan and affirmed it. We talked about using the space on the [Stuttgart] left-hand-side and they exploited that.” 

This is something that Freiburg performed to perfection, with Ritsu Doan putting in a fantastic performance against Frans Krätzig for the majority of the encounter.

A fantastic reaction to going behind, followed by almost insistent energy and attacking impetus. A fantastic performance from SC Freiburg on their new manager’s opening occasion in a Bundesliga dugout.