There are some match-ups for which looking at the full head-to-head record would just put a dampener on your day. Hence, it makes much more sense to simply focus on a few more positive past clashes between SC and BVB, including that which saw a sea of sparklers on a cold December evening during Freiburg’s first Bundesliga season. Another provided quite the enjoyable occasion as a resounding 3-0 win meant we progressed from the DFB-Pokal second-round in 2002. Nils Petersen’s halfway-line strike to beat former Freiburg player Roman Bürki and Vincenzo Grifo’s flashed cross to force a last-gasp own goal and 2-2 equaliser from Manuel Akanji in 2019 are another couple of highlights.

Head coach Julian Schuster is placing concentration on the things that need to be improved from the previous home game just this past weekend if his side are to perform against Dortmund: “There is no one at the club who isn’t wanting to fight for the cause. The case is rather the opposite. What really instils us with confidence is giving good showings at home against opponents who possess a great deal of individual quality. Those are the experiences that stay with the boys. The important thing is that everyone who plays brings the energy and gives it their all.”

Analysis of the narrow defeat at the hands of Union Berlin last time out formed an essential part of preparations this week, with Schuster finding some consolation in the conclusions he drew: “Our performance was better than I had first thought during the game.” Nevertheless, the 39-year-old picked out a number of areas for improvement. “We lost a number of important 50-50 challenges in the middle of the park and needed to defend better as a unit for the first goal we conceded. In my eyes, we made it far too easy for them also in terms of the timing of the goal. We have to accept the blame for that.”

BVB have rediscovered some stability since Niko Kovac took over the reins from Nuri Sahin, and therefore the outcome of the upcoming contest will be heavily influenced by the team’s ability to “create in possession, win second balls and be aggressive.” Alongside those suffering with long-term injuries, Merlin Röhl (training individually following illness) and Noah Atubolu (shoulder injury) will also be unavailable for the contest.

The team will receive assistance on Saturday in the form of support from a sold-out Europa-Park Stadion crowd, who will be hoping that new and positive memories can be made against Borussia Dortmund.

Photo: Alexander Scheuber / dfl