Games are coming thick and fast for Christian Streich and his team: just a week after a 2-1 win in the European season opener against Qarabag, and just four days since the goalless draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach, Freiburg have made the trip to the outskirts of the Greek capital to face Olympiakos in their first Europa League away game. “We’ll try to bring in fresh legs in one or two positions, because the Gladbach game cost us in terms of energy,” head coach Streich explained some possible squad rotation in his press conference before the game.

A lightning-quick start against Qarabag FK and a staunch defensive performance gave the Breisgau side their first win in the competition, and a foundation to build towards qualifying for the knockout rounds. The 2-1 victory was SCF’s first win in Europe since a 1-0 triumph at home to Slovenian side  NK Domzale in July 2017. This week’s opposition, Olympiakos, were defeated 2-1 away to FC Nantes and are looking to secure their first Group Stage points.

It has been a memorable start to the season in all competitions for SC, with six wins, one draw and just one loss – a cause for satisfaction among the fans. Nevertheless, resting on their laurels is not an option for the team, and both the players and coaches seem hungry for more success in the coming weeks and months.

The trip to Greece is a first for the club as a whole, and excitement for Thursday night’s game is at fever pitch. “It’s always special to board a plane and travel to another country for a match. There’s a lot of excitement at the moment, but the main thing is that we just want to work hard tomorrow and try to win the game,” said club captain Christian Günter in the build-up to the match.

750 Freiburg fans will make the long trip to Piraeus. Among the squad, though, there is one absentee: Roland Sallai is unavailable. After coming off injured against Bayer Leverkusen, the attacker requires an operation on his eye.

Photo: Achim Keller