SCF’s coaching staff are still looking over the side’s defensive performance from their last weekend’s game against RB Leipzig. “The fact is, we were very good on the ball in our last game. We had a lot of chances. The goals we conceded were a result of sloppy as a team and as a unit, though,” stated Christian Streich. “If we’re not better at the back, we’ll run into trouble.”

Ahead of the clash against eighteenth-placed SV Darmstadt 98, there are also questions at the other end of the pitch. Merlin Röhl is struggling with abdominal issues, Noah Weißhaupt is still out with an ankle injury and Lucas Höler will miss the match due to a suspension. However, Roland Sallai is an option for the starting XI once again after overcoming an adductor injury. “It’s all about having a mixture. Height, athleticism, pace, strength in the tackle... these are the things you think about when you’re putting a team together. When certain players who can score goals are out there on the pitch together, it’s also important that they stay alert off the ball, too,” continued Streich.

Darmstadt to make life hard for SCF

Christian Streich emphasised that, despite their low points tally this season, Freiburg’s next opponents have shown what they’re capable of – and not just in the 1-1 draw between the two sides earlier this season. “Darmstadt make mistakes every now and then, but they have scoring chances in every game they play. None of us are thinking ‘Darmstadt don’t have many points, this is going to be easy.’”

SC Freiburg’s head coach pointed out that Darmstadt have been lacking consistency this season, just like his own team. “We won a hard-fought affair in Bochum and then played really well in the victory against Mönchengladbach. Of course, I hope that we can keep the streak going. That’s the hope, but things could turn out differently in reality.” 

SC with the chance to equal an away record

SC are set to face six opponents from the bottom half of the table in the remaining six games of the season. “It’s good that we don’t have any more games against the top five. It comes down to the performance on the day against the others,” Streich explained.

Streich’s side would equal their own Bundesliga record of three consecutive away wins with a victory in Darmstadt. SC last achieved this in the summer of 2022, having never won more than three straight Bundesliga away games in the club’s history. 1,700 Freiburg fans are set to accompany their team to Darmstadt and the away end is fully sold out.

Photo: Achim Keller