23 games. 37 points. “We are delighted with our points tally at this stage of the season,” reveled coach Christian Streich. SC are unbeaten in their last two games and are unbeaten at home this calendar year. A test against 15th placed Hertha awaits.

Things aren’t going the way of Hertha at this moment in time and their 51 goals conceded this season gives them the second worst defensive record in the league, ahead of bottom side Fürth. Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had to pick the ball out of his net six times in Hertha’s last fixture against Leipzig. BSC’s shot-stopper will however not be travelling to Freiburg this weekend following a positive COVID test. Despite Hertha’s recent misfortunes, Streich still has the utmost respect for the Old Lady: “The game against Hertha isn’t easy for us and it would be disrespectful to think otherwise.”

Despite the Berliners' recent woes, Streich is still mindful: “Hertha haven’t had many good results recently but in Leipzig they played well for the first hour and until the red card. Now they are facing problems after a COVID outbreak and everyone is awaiting negative test results. It is precisely this unpredictability that makes them dangerous and they still have a chance of getting a result.” Streich’s side can also expect a tough game, against an opponent that is “fighting tooth and nail to get the points to get out of this mess.”

Building on the game against Augsburg

Streich is also hoping for support from the stands, with up to 25,000 fans being allowed into the ground. “I hope everyone comes” urged the gaffer. Tickets for the game against Hertha have been on general sale since Thursday. In addition, the coach has made an appeal to his players: “If we can go into the game with a clear head and if, from the off, we can deal with the things that don’t go our way, then we have every chance of success against Berlin.”

The performances in the second half in the games against Mainz and Augsburg were pleasing for the coaching team and they will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday. “We need to play good football but also have that fighting spirit. We need to play in such a way that the Berliners can’t get a foothold in the contest and gain much self-confidence” It is of particular importance to the Freiburg coaches that the team focuses on their own system and way of playing: “We have to concentrate on our own game. It must not matter so much to us what system our opponent is using. Our approach and way of playing must be able to work against all systems,” the coach stressed.

Changes could be made

Except for Yannik Keitel, who is undergoing an operation after a fracturing his toe, and the missing Nishan Burkart and Kimberley Ezekwem, everyone in the squad is available for selection. “We are always thinking about the line-up, especially as we have three games in the next week. Therefore, it is quite possible that there will be changes to the starting XI. However, in the next two days our focus is on selecting the team to face Hertha.”
 

Photo: Ottmar Winter