The start of May is the time of year when football fans start calculating possible scenarios as the Bundesliga season draws to a close. As in previous years, SC’s campaign could go one of several ways with three matchdays to go. Following last weekend’s win in Wolfsburg and ahead of this Sunday’s home game against Leverkusen, Freiburg currently occupy fourth place. However, due to how close the table is right now, Julian Schuster’s team could still finish third but also as low as 10th.

However, the SC coach hasn’t been studying the table and the possibilities for the final three matchdays. For the 40-year-old, matchdays 33 and 34 are totally irrelevant right now. “I’m open to hearing why we should be focusing on the rest of the season already. I can’t think of any argument as to why we should – our focus is solely on our next game.”

Matchday 32 sees SC host last season’s champions, who, as of Friday, still have an outside chance of defending their title. “They will want to make our lives difficult, regardless of Bayern’s result on Saturday,” commented Schuster, who remarked that Sunday’s opponents have “developed massively over the last two years” under coach Xabi Alonso.

SC played well for a part of the reverse fixture, but, like against several of the league’s top teams this season, ended up suffering a heavy defeat. “We put in a decent first-half performance but then went 1-0 down just before half-time. You need to have positive moments if you want to take something from matches against teams like that. We’re working on that step-by-step. The team is definitely committed towards improving,” said Schuster.

Just like in recent weeks, Schuster has a number of difficult decisions to make for the penultimate home game of the season. “There will be some really close calls. Small things like our tactical approach and the opposition can be key in my decision as to who gets the nod.” Although goalkeeper Noah Atubolu is back in training and will be back in the squad as well, Florian Müller will remain in between the sticks for Sunday’s match.

The supporters at the Europa-Park Stadion will also play a big part in the clash with Leverkusen: “The support was incredible in our last home game. We need that kind of noise again on Sunday. It’s really important for us,” stressed Schuster.

Photo: Achim Keller