In order to give as many players as possible playing time, the game against the Swiss side was organised in the format of two 60-minute matches. Mark Flekken and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh were not involved as they managed their workloads.

While Freiburg are only midway through their pre-season, FC St. Gallen’s season begins next weekend, making Saturday’s game their final friendly ahead of their Swiss Super League campaign. Therefore, head coach Peter Zeidler sent out a strong side for the first 60-minute period.

In front of the scenic backdrop of Schruns, Freiburg got off to a perfect start in the first 60-minute period. Before two minutes had even hit the clock, Jonathan Schmid sprung the offside drop to latch onto a chipped ball from Vincenzo Grifo before looping over goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi into the back of the net.

The Freiburg lead only lasted ten minutes. Julian von Moos capitalised on a lapse in concentration scored from close range to equalise (12’). Vincent Vermeij's dangerous cross into the six-yard boc was cleared in the at the last minute a fee moments later before Noah Atubolu turned a free-kick around the post to keep the scores at 1-1 in what was developing into an intense game.

St. Gallen turn game

The Swiss side took the lead for the first time in the 27th minute. Daouda Guindo was played in and finished from a narrow angle to make the score 2-1.

The first of Freiburg’s summer arrivals was brought on shortly afterwards when Michael Gregoritsch came off the bench. In the 59th minute, the scores were level again when Manuel Gulde turned the ball into the bac of the net after Vincenzo Grifo’s free kick.

“St. Gallen played very well for the first 60 minutes and were more lively than us. We didn't switch the ball enough and our positioning wasn’t always right,” said head coach Christian Streich after the game.

Streich changed his side completely at the break, with new singing Ritsu Doan one of the players to come into the game. However, St. Gallen replenished their lead when Fabian Schubert beat Benjamin Uphoff with a powerful shot from around 15 metres (63’).

Doan lively

Four minutes later, Lucas Höler went close to equalising after a good corner from Ritsu Doan. Doan impressed once again on 81 minues with a good ball to Nils Petersen. His low cross found Maximilian Eggestein but a St. Gallen defender was there to block.

Four minutes later, Doan linked up with Kimberly Ezekwem, latching on to a great pass before pulling off a nice finish to level the scores at 3-3. Lucas Höler then missed two chances to take the lead again (91’, 98’), before Nils Petersen was denied by the crossbar on 102 minutes.

Just moments later, Höler took advantage of an error in the St. Gallen defence and this time converted his chance to give Freiburg the lead. It was the final goal of the game and Streich’s side ended as 4-3 winners. 

The head coach was satisfied with the performance after the break. “The second 60 minutes were better from us overall. It was an entertaining game for the spectators because both teams were really into it.”

SC Freiburg XI (first 60 minutes): Atubolu – Siquet, Lienhart, Gulde, Günter – Schmid, Keitel, Höfler, Grifo – Vermeij (30', Gregoritsch), Weißhaupt

SC Freiburg XI (second 60 minutes): Uphoff – Kübler, Ginter, Schlotterbeck, Ezekwem (91' Sildillia) – Doan (91' Sallai), Eggestein, Wagner, Burkart (91' Jeong) – Petersen, Höler