Freiburg’s squad for the first game of pre-season was missing a number of familiar faces, which meant that several U23 players took their place in the matchday squad. The opponents were Grasshoppers, who finished sixth in the Swiss Super League last season. Their league campaign begins next weekend.  

Summer signing Junior Adamu, like the rest of the players to have been on international duty, was not in the squad. Fellow signing Florian Müller, back for a second spell in Freiburg, started in goal. GCZ captain Amir Abrashi returned to Freiburg after leaving for Zürich back in summer 2021.  

Günter forced off injured 

There were 9,500 fans in attendance, including a number of vocal supporters in the away end. SC had the first chances via Merlin Röhl (13’) and Maximilian Eggestein (16’). Röhl only hit the side-netting, while Eggestein’s effort from near the penalty spot went wide of the mark.  

SC were forced into an early change after around 20 minutes. Captain Christian Günter was forced off after landing on his arm following a collision with an opponent. He was replaced by Jord Makengo.  

Röhl and Höfler on the scoresheet.  

Things got better for SC later on in the first half. Merlin Röhl gave the home team the lead in the 34th minute with a smart finish on the turn following a Vincenzo Grifo header to him.  

It didn’t take long for the home team to get a second goal either. Nicolas Höfler took advantage of a sloppy defensive clearance and fired the ball home from the edge of the box (38’). Mika Baur was inches away from making it 3-0 shortly afterwards, nodding over Lukas Kübler’s cross from a central position (40’). 

SCF build their lead 

Apart from first-half substitute Makengo, the entire Freiburg team was changed for the start of second half. The new-strung and very young Freiburg XI held their own against the 27-time Swiss champions and added to their lead eight minutes after half time. Davino Knappe kept his cool after being played through by Jihan Lee and coolly slotted home SCF’s third with a flat shot from 15 metres out (53’). 

The away support finally had reason to celebrate after 63 minutes after Filipe Carvalho got the better of Benjamin Uphoff, chipping the ball over the keeper and into the net. It was however a goal that wouldn’t have stood in the Bundesliga, because VAR would have caught Carvalho just offside in the build-up, but on this occasion, the goal stood. 

SCF then responded with a quickfire double from Maximilian Breunig and Jihan Lee. Breunig turned Jordy Makengo’s flat cross into the back of the net (66’) before Lee slammed the ball in off the crossbar from ten yards out to make it 5-1 (69’). 16-year-old Noah Darvich then put the cherry on the cake in injury time. Playing a significant role in the attacking move, Darvich slotted home SCF’s sixth goal of the afternoon. 

“You could tell everyone was happy to be back playing, the lads from the U23s were highly motivated and did really well. Therefore, we’re happy,” Christian Streich gave some summative thoughts after full time. Freiburg’s next friendly is coming up next Saturday at their training camp against VfL Wolfsburg (14:00 CEST). 

Photos: Achim Keller

SC Freiburg first half: Müller, Kübler, Sildillia, Gulde, Günter (26', Makengo), Baur, Eggestein, Höfler, Grifo, Höler, Röhl  

SC Freiburg second half: Uphoff, Fahrner (81', Lungwitz), Rüdlin, Schlotterbeck, Makengo (81', Fallmann), Wiklöf, Darvich, Knappe, Lee, Stark, Breunig

Goals: 1-0 Röhl (34'), 2-0 Höfler (38'), 3-0 Knappe (53'), 3-1 Carvalho (63'), 4-1 Breunig (66'), 5-1 Lee (69'), 6-1 Darvich (90'+2)