Many of the 2,100 SC fans at the Stadion am Lotter Kreuz may have been reminded of the trip they made at this time last season, when Freiburg beat VfL Osnabrück 4-0 in the first round of the Pokal. One year later, at the Stadion am Lotter Kreuz, which is just 13 kilometres and one state over from Osnabrück, the fans were hoping to celebrate reaching the second round for the fourteenth season in succession.

Freiburg started their first competitive game with almost the same side who played in their final friendly seven days earlier. Johan Manzambi began in place of the injured Igor Matanovic (muscular problems in his thigh). Philipp Treu and Max Rosenfelder (rehabilitation training), Nicolas Höfler (back problems), Michael Gregoritsch, Maximilian Philipp and Noah Weißhauptwere also not in the squad.

Lotte keep it tight

For the teams from the Oberliga, Regionalliga and 3. Liga, their matches against higher-ranked opponents are the biggest game of the year. They are also in front of their own fans and, unlike the Bundesliga sides, have already played several league games. This means that it is the often the case that the underdogs present a difficult challenge for the bigger teams on paper.

SC did struggle in the early stages to break down the Regionalliga side, who sat very deep. The visitors had a lot of possession, but did not pose a danger in the final third. It was not until the 12th minute that Vincenzo Grifo had his side’s first chance, when his free kick hit the side netting. Soon after, Maximilian Eggestein fired just over on the turn (15’).

Dinkci opens the scoring

The visitors began to become more and more dominant after these two opportunities. However, it was another 20 minutes before the SCF supporters were on their feet again. Eren Dinkci found Manzambi in the box with a brilliant cross, and the latter’s header struck the bar (35’). Freiburg’s next dangerous attack did result in a goal. Dinkci spectacularly volleyed home on the rebound from around 15 yards out (43’). SC led 1-0 at half time.

After the break, SFL continued to play with a compact backline and everyone in their own half, while also trying to occasionally break forward themselves. The majority of the Sportfreunde’s attacks were snuffed out by an alert SCF defence.

Höler wraps up the win

At the other end, there was a long period of the second half with few goalscoring chances. The best opportunity fell to Matthias Ginter, whose header from Günter’s fizzed free kick was saved well by SFL goalkeeper Ron Meyer (65’). Like the first goal, the second came soon after a big chance. Freiburg captain Günter delivered another free kick into the box, and this time it was Lucas Höler who struck to have the SC fans celebrating again (69’).

Lotte did not give up after the second goal, but there were no more opportunities of note in the closing stages. Freiburg reached the second round with an unspectacular but comfortable victory. “Before the match, it was very important for us to approach the game in a professional manner. I think we can say we did that over the full 90 minutes. The opponents didn’t concede many chances. We picked our moments well. In the first round of the Pokal, it’s important to expect certain things. The lads did that today. I’m pleased with the performance and the fact that we’ve got through to the next round,” said Julian Schuster after the game.

The draw for the second round will be held on Sunday, 31st August, as part of ARD’s Sportschau programme (starting at 19:00 CEST).

Photo: DeFodi Images