The 7-0 friendly win over Karlsruher SC a little over a week ago took Freiburg into the kind of high-scoring territory that has been typical for their next opponents this season. An average of 5.5 goals has been scored across Frankfurt’s first six Bundesliga games – rising to 5.6 when their two Champions League fixtures are included.

Unlike that high-scoring friendly against the 2. Bundesliga side, Frankfurt’s goals have been evenly distributed at both ends of the pitch. 17 goals scored are matched by 16 conceded, giving Eintracht the second-most potent attack in the league but also the weakest defence.

So how do you approach a side that can be both explosive going forward and vulnerable at the back? “I’m sure the number of goals they’ve conceded will have been discussed internally, and they’ll have worked hard to address that during the break. We need to defend well enough to neutralise their strengths. They’re a very flexible team, and we have to be ready for anything,” said Julian Schuster ahead of the game.

The Freiburg coaching staff are not reading too much into that friendly win, but Schuster noted that “there were elements we can carry over into the upcoming matches.” He also welcomed the fact that players who had seen limited minutes recently were able to catch the eye: “We’ve often praised the lads for their attitude in recent weeks, but it was important that some of them could show what they can do over a longer spell. The focus and concentration levels in that friendly were extremely high.”

Overall, the 40-year-old is satisfied with how the team have used the two-week break from competitive action – helped by the fact that training numbers remained strong despite some players being away on international duty. There was also good news regarding Noah Atubolu. SC’s goalkeeper, who had been called up to the Germany squad for the first time by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann but was forced to withdraw early due to a blow to his knee, has returned to training. Cyriaque Irié, meanwhile, is not yet an option for Sunday, although he has resumed individual work after his bout of malaria.

Away from the football itself, two other topics will take centre stage this weekend. As with the club’s women’s team a few days ago, the men will also wear a special kit against Frankfurt to mark 50 years of women’s football at SC Freiburg. In addition, the club will officially bid farewell to Ritsu Doan ahead of kick-off on his return to his former home ground.

Photo: Achim Keller