Union and Champions League: Bitter Freiburg memories

What are his thoughts on the guest performance in Berlin? SC coach Christian Streich.

IMAGO/Jöran Steinsiek

At the end of last season, the premiere ticket for the premier class was already within reach on a silver platter. Christian Streich’s team was fourth before matchday 33, one point ahead of Leipzig and had a home game. In this, however, the Breisgauer then conceded a surprising 1: 4 swatter – against Union. Because Freiburg also lost on the last matchday in Leverkusen, the capital city even pulled past at the last moment, pushing the sports club down to sixth place.

Champions League and Union – this combination brings back bitter memories in the SC camp. Such a painful slump after an outstanding season on the home stretch should not be repeated. Again, however, Union could intervene, this time a game day earlier and in their own stadium, where the Köpenicker represent an impressive home power.

home power union

They last lost at home in the Bundesliga in February 2022 (0:3 against Dortmund), so they are unbeaten in 21 home games. Only two of the most recent 48 league home games were lost, in addition to the Dortmund game last season and the duel with Bayern (2:5). Impressive numbers that make a Freiburg victory not exactly likely. In addition, he has lost SC twice in Köpenick and drawn twice in four attempts (once in the 2nd division).

Even if the SC is currently just behind Union because of the goal difference, which is four goals worse, he will probably not play a high risk of winning at the Alte Försterei. In view of the two game days that followed, a draw would also be a decent result this time.

Return to the triple chain?

This perspective should also increase the likelihood of a return to a three-chain system at Streich. Although his team recently felt much more comfortable in the 4-4-2 basic formation, was more successful and the 5-1 cup smack against Leipzig in 3-4-3 at least started with two early goals conceded.

Against Union’s counter-football on the basis of a close-knit, difficult to overcome defense (32 goals conceded are top value in the league) with well-established processes in the tried and tested 3-5-2, but above all it is important to stand sure yourself and not into the open for Urs Fischer’s team knife to run. The SC, which started in 4-2-3-1, had to experience this painfully a year ago at 1:4. In the meantime, the ensemble around hat-trick shooter Vincenzo Grifo has at least been able to take revenge with a 4-1 win in the first half of the season. Basic formation in November: 3-4-3.

All of this will flow into Streich’s considerations, who can probably plan with three returnees in the squad who were missing against Leipzig on Saturday: Roland Sallai (pause for thought), Ritsu Doan (knee problems) and Philipp Lienhart (ill). The latter duo unwound an individual training program at the beginning of the week. Should Lienhart be fully fit again, he is the hottest starting candidate of the trio.