DFB-Pokal final: SC Freiburg opposition analysis
RB Leipzig take on Christian Streich’s Freiburg | Both Bundesliga games ended 1-1 | Streich’s side strong from set pieces
Within touching distance of the trophy! RB Leipzig are one win away from winning their first major trophy in club history. Domenico Tedesco’s team take on SC Freiburg in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday at 20:00 CEST. What can our team expect on the weekend?
Form
SC Freiburg have had a strong Bundesliga campaign and were in direct competition with RB Leipzig for a Champions League place right until the final matchday. With Leipzig guaranteeing their place among Europe’s elite with a draw in Bielefeld, Freiburg ended the season in 6th place after a loss to Leverkusen. It was Freiburg’s best finish since achieving fifth place in the 2012/13 season, and the third time the club have qualified for the Europa League.
Only four clubs conceded fewer goals in the Bundesliga this season than Freiburg (46), with RB Leipzig one of those. However, Freiburg ended the season poorly with back to back losses – their 2-1 defeat to Leverkusen on the final day followed a 4-1 loss against Union Berlin. SCF conceded 12 goals in their final four games of the season.
Team news
Freiburg have had an almost fully-fit squad for weeks, with youngsters Kevin Schade, Yannik Keitel and Noah Weißhaupt being the only long-term absentees. Schade’s unavailability is the moist significant loss for Streich’s side. The 20-year-old has enjoyed his breakout season this campaign and developed into an important part of the Freiburg attack, but will miss the cup final on Saturday.
Key players
Nico Schlotterbeck stands out at the heart of the Freiburg defence. The 22-year-old impressed on his two caps for the national team, representing Germany against the Netherlands and Israel. Schlotterbeck is a solid defender and can play out from the back, while also having an eye for goal (4 goals in the Bundesliga). Saturday’s cup final will be the centre back’s final game for Freiburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund.
Going forward, Freiburg’s most influential player is Vincenzo Grifo. With nine goals and eight assists to his name, the Italian is also dangerous from set pieces. SCF have scored a total of 24 goals from dead ball situations this season, which is a club and Bundesliga record. The last time Freiburg scored as many goals from set pieces was in the 1994/95 season. Their 16 headed goals scored this season is another club record.
Head coach
Christian Streich has been the man at the helm of SC Freiburg for almost ten and a half years and recently signed a contract extension with the club. It’s not unimaginable that the 56-year-old overtakes Volker Finke as Freiburg’s longest-serving head coach. Finke spent 16 years at the helm, but Streich has already taken one club record off his hands when he celebrated his 105th Bundesliga win in charge of the club on matchday 29, making him the head coach with the most victories in the German top flight for Freiburg.
Away from the pitch, Streich is a calm and thoughtful person who is known for being happy to answer questions on topics away from football during his press conferences. On the sideline, he’s often emotional and loud. Saturday will be no different.
Head-to-head record
RB Leipzig edge the overall head-to-head record, having won 6 of the previous 14 meetings. Freiburg have come out on top four times and the two sides have drawn four times. The two meetings this season each ended in a 1-1 draw.
Last five games
5th March 2022 | Bundesliga, matchday 25: RB Leipzig 1–1 SC Freiburg
16th October 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 8: SC Freiburg 1–1 RB Leipzig
6th March 2021 | Bundesliga, matchday 24: SC Freiburg 0–3 RB Leipzig
7th November 2020 | Bundesliga, matchday 7: RB Leipzig 3–0 SC Freiburg
16th May 2020 | Bundesliga, matchday 26: RB Leipzig 1–1 SC Freiburg