As the first international break of the year gets underway, a total of eight SC Freiburg players will be away with their respective nations. Things got off to a good start for both Ritsu Doan and Michael Gregoritsch. Doan helped Japan become the first side to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Gregoritsch netted in some style for Austria. However, the Austrians were unable to get the better of Serbia to earn promotion to League A of the Nations League.
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick has called up both Philipp Lienhart and Michael Gregoritsch for their two-legged Nations League play-off against Serbia. Gregoritsch scored once in the 1-1 draw in Vienna, finishing in some style from 20 metres out. Both Gregoritsch and Lienhart started the second leg in Belgrade, with the striker exiting the pitch in the 75th minute. A 2-0 defeat meant that Austria were unable to earn promotion to League A and will remain in League B in 2026.
Florent Muslija and Kosovo are also taking part in the play-offs, with two games against Iceland. The 26-year-old featured for the full 90 minutes of Kosovo's 3-1 win in the second leg. After winning both play-off matches, Kosovo were able to celebrate their promotion to League A.
Ritsu Doan and Japan faced both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifying. Japan are currently enjoying a dominant lead at the top of Group C, with five wins and one draw from their six fixtures so far. A 2-0 win against Bahrain saw them become the first non-host team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Doan started the match and featured for a solid hour before being taken off.
Max Rosenfelder and Noah Atubolu have once again been included in the Germany U21s squad as they take part in two friendlies in preparation for this summer's U21 EUROs in Slovakia. Atubolu started in goal while Rosenfelder started at centre-back in a 1-0 win against Slovakia, with the defender being taken off at half time. Atubolu also started between the sticks in the team's second friendly against Spain U21s, which they won 3-1. Rosenfelder was also included in the starting line-up, before being taken off in the 63rd minute.
Manzambi scores for Switzerland
Johan Manzambi was called up by the Switzerland U21s, for their two friendlies against Austria U21s and England U21s. Manzambi was subbed on in the 75th minute of their 2-0 defeat to Austria. He then started against England and scored a penalty to put Switzerland 2-1 up, although the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Kiliann Sildillia, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in a 5-3 friendly win for the France U21s against England U21s.
Freiburg used the international break for a behind-closed-doors friendly against Karlsruher SC on Thursday, 20th March. The second-division team emerged 2-1 victors with Maximilian Eggestein getting on the scoresheet for SC.
Overview (all times in CET):
Philipp Lienhart, Michael Gregoritsch | Austria
Thur., 20.03., 20:45, Austria - Serbia | 1-1
Sun., 23.03, 18:00, Serbia - Austria| 2-0
Ritsu Doan | Japan
Thur., 20.03., 11:35, Japan - Bahrain | 2-0
Tue., 25.03., 11:35, Japan – Saudi Arabia | 0-0
Florent Muslija | Kosovo
Thur., 20.03., 20:45, Kosovo - Iceland | 2-1
Sun., 23.03., 18:00, Iceland - Kosovo | 1-3
Max Rosenfelder, Noah Atubolu | Germany U21
Fri., 21.03., 18:00, Slovakia - Germany | 1-0
Tue., 25.03., 20:30, Germany - Spain | 3-1
Kiliann Sildillia | France U21
Fri., 21.03., 21:00, France - England | 5-3
Johan Manzambi | Switzerland U21
Fri., 21.03., 14:00, Austria - Switzerland | 2-0
Mon., 24.03., 12:00, Switzerland - England | 2-2
