The game against Mainz will also mark SC’s 120th anniversary. The team will wear a special jersey for a match, the launch of which caused considerable enthusiasm amongst the club’s fans. That enthusiasm has been boosted by the team’s recent form, which has seen SC win their last three matches away from home – the longest run of wins on the road in the club’s history. “We’re very happy about winning those three away games,” says Christian Streich.

SC are, however, winless in their last five at home. “It’s obviously annoying that we’ve only won once at home in the second half of the season. But we’ve hosted some decent opponents and we’ll be happy to finally win at home again.” Freiburg have a strong recent record against the 05ers, and are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the sides. Roland Sallai is suspended for Sunday’s match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out against Darmstadt, while Lucas Höler is available for selection after serving a suspension of his own.

Mainz on the way up

SC may be searching for a long-awaited win in front of their own fans this weekend, but Mainz will be just as desperate to get a result – the 05ers remain winless on their travels in the Bundesliga this season. “But at some point every streak comes to an end,” says Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen, whose side’s fortunes have improved greatly in recent weeks. FSV’s last four games have seen them record three commanding victories at home and hold Leipzig to a 0-0 draw at the Red Bull Arena. Only the newly-crowned champions Bayer Leverkusen have recorded more points in the last four matchdays.

Henriksen has demanded that his team approach the game “like wild animals.” The Dane’s side, who sit 16th in the Bundesliga table, will be looking for a similar performance to their last game against Hoffenheim, in which they came from behind to record a 4-1 win. “He does an outstanding job of motivating us,” said striker Jonathan Burkardt of his head coach, reflecting on their upturn in form over the last few weeks. “They had so much energy that they blew Hoffenheim away. It was impressive,” said Streich.

SC looking to raise their energy levels

“I don’t think Mainz belong where they currently are,” continued the 58-year old. Streich named a lengthy injury list and several unlucky defeats as the reasons why the Rhine Hesse side find themselves near the foot of the table. “Now they have a lot more energy on the pitch – their injured players are back and they have plenty of quality in the squad.”

Streich is paying no attention to the league table: “We have to play with our maximum energy, stay 100% focused and work as a team. Otherwise Mainz have the potential to take advantage of our current shaky home form.”
 

Photo: SC Freiburg