The mood at SC is great ahead of the second international break of the 2021/22 season. Christian Streich’s team is still unbeaten after the first six matchdays, and the final Bundesliga game at the Dreisamstadion was a brilliant way to say goodbye to the club’s famous old ground. Additionally, the first match at the new Europa-Park Stadion will take place in a week’s time with a friendly against FC St. Pauli.

“I didn’t think about leaving the Dreisamstadion at all before the game – we were all focused on FC Augsburg and ourselves. At the same time though, we knew how important it was because we all wanted to say goodbye on the back of a good memory. It was a really emotional game and it was great that we performed so well,” reflected Christian Streich on Thursday.

Things, however, aren’t as positive at Hertha after they were beaten heavily for the second time this season last weekend away at RB Leipzig (6-0). They now sit in 12th with six points on the board. “Leipzig were really good that day. Hertha actually did lots of things well, but just got overpowered by a strong Leipzig performance,” commented Streich. “They will do all they can to stop us playing football. It will be a really difficult Bundesliga game on Saturday.”

Streich’s side looked in good form against an admittedly uninspired Augsburg team last weekend. He will now be hoping for a similar display in the capital. “I’ve got the feeling that the team is hungry. Our play once we lost the ball against Augsburg was really good. We will try to play with lots of passion in Berlin,” revealed Streich.

The last trip to play Hertha in the capital shouldn’t serve as a basis for this weekend’s clash. Despite having 59% possession, Freiburg lost 3-0 back in May.

Jonathan Schmid (Covid-19) and Kimberly Ezekwem (rehabilitation training) will not make the trip up north.

Photo: Achim Keller