Pokal quarter-final in front of a “special backdrop”
SC are set to take on Hertha BSC on Tuesday evening (20:45 CET) in the quarter-finals of this season’s DFB-Pokal.
Lotte, Düsseldorf, Darmstadt – SC have faced a Regionalliga side and two second-division teams on their way to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal. Another second-tier side awaits them on Tuesday evening, this time in the form of Hertha BSC at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. SC will hope to return to the capital in May for the DFB-Pokal final.
The final is now almost within reach. Hertha go into the game unbeaten in their last six league matches, which suggests an exciting duel between two sides battling for one of the last two semi-final spots. All the more so, because memories of the final from four years ago are still fresh in the minds of some of SC’s players. “That fantastic final in Berlin still comes up occasionally within the team. We’re not focusing on that ahead of this game, though,” explained head coach Julian Schuster.
SC are certainly no strangers to high-stakes games, as was demonstrated at the weekend in their 1-0 home win over SV Werder Bremen. Niklas Beste scored a beautiful goal early on, before Johan Manzambi was sent off, leading to a 50-minute onslaught from the away side, from which Schuster’s side emerged unscathed.
While there won’t be a home crowd behind them in this game, SC can look forward to a vocal away section, with 5,200 Freiburg fans expected to make the trip up to Berlin. “I’d like to give a huge thank you to our fans! It’s not to be taken for granted that they are making this journey on a Tuesday evening. I think that just highlights the importance of this competition,” said Schuster.
The home side will also be looking to get another step closer to a final in their own stadium, with 55,000 spectators expected to attend. “It means at least as much to them as it does to us. We’re looking forward to a special atmosphere and backdrop.”
Philipp Treu will travel to Berlin despite his recent injury, as will Johan Manzambi, due to his suspension only counting in the Bundesliga. Florian Müller will be given the nod in goal ahead of Noah Atubolu, as was the case in rounds two and three.
Photo: SC Freiburg