Just three days after winning at home against Borussia Mönchengladbach, SC are back in action as they continue their DFB-Pokal campaign. The quick turnaround is nothing unfamiliar for Freiburg, however, having experienced a packed schedule in recent seasons due to the addition of Europa League fixtures on top of midweek cup action. “If we feel that changes to the team are necessary, then that’s what we’ll do,” explained head coach Julian Schuster regarding his team’s fitness, adding, “We will put out the team that we are most confident will see us through to the next round.”

The coaching staff will have a wider scope for selection for the upcoming game, with two players missing the match against Mönchengladbach due to suspension. Patrick Osterhage served his one game on the sidelines against the Foals, while Junior Adamu’s three-match ban only applies to Bundesliga fixtures, meaning he would also be an option for the round of 16 tie. Regardless of the starting line-up opted for by Schuster and the rest of his staff, the goal remains the same. “Based on the club’s ambitions, we should be progressing against a third-division opponent,” emphasised the coach.

The Bielefeld fortress

Second-tier outfit Hannover 96 and top-flight side Union Berlin most likely had the same intention. However, both failed to emerge victorious from Bielefeld when faced with a strong home defence. “Bielefeld have picked up a lot of points at home,” said Schuster. In fact, Arminia and coach Mitch Kniat have won five of their eight home matches in the third division this season, losing only once, and that is not even counting their cup successes. “Theirs is a very special ground and a tricky one to play at in front of a sell-out crowd,” warned Schuster. “Hannover and Union both experienced that already.”

The 39-year-old puts the opponent’s resolve down to one thing in particular, that being “the best third-division defence.” Goalkeeper Jonas Kersken has only had to pick the ball out of his net on 13 occasions over the course of 16 matchdays so far, which is the lowest tally in the league. Bielefeld approach each game with plenty of “impetus and energy,” according to Schuster. A clear example of that was their most recent home fixture, when they defeated FC Ingolstadt 1-0 thanks to an eye-catching goal from Louis Oppie as well as the defensive stability once again.

For that reason, going into this cup tie in Bielefeld with an abundance of energy is going to be the key to success for SC. “We need to match Bielefeld’s energy levels right from the off,” demands Schuster, so until then, “We need to recuperate as best we can.”

Photo: SC Freiburg