Höfler hit with three-match-ban following red card against Dortmund

SC Freiburg will have to do without midfielder Nicolas Höfler for their next three league matches. 

Nicolas Höfler’s sending off in SC Freiburg weekend’s 2-4 loss to Borussia Dortmund will cost the SCF midfield starter three league matches. The German FA’s disciplinary arm confirmed a three-match-ban for the 33-year-old on Monday evening. Höfler stomped on BVB midfielder Marcel Sabitzer’s boot and was shown a red after a VAR intervention.

SCF trainer Christian Streich will thus be unable to call upon him for upcoming league fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Augsburg, and FC Bayern München. This will actually be Höfler’s second suspension of the young season. The veteran had to sit out the opening round fixture due to a ban that carried over from last year.

New Germany U21 call-up Merlin Röhl filled in for Höfler in the match-day one victory over Hoffenheim and can be considered the likely replacement. Streich has one other defensive midfielder – 23-year-old Yannik Keitel – who could potentially serve alongside regular starter Maximilian Eggestein.

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