SC Freiburg prepare to host 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CET), their third game in the span of a week.
"It's not a bad thing that they played against Bayern, as it cost them a lot of energy," head coach Julian Schuster said with a grin following Wednesday's cup win, before adding, "But, so did our game against Hamburg." With just three days between the mid-week match and Sunday's home game, Maximilian Eggestein also commented, saying "Both Mainz and us have a busy schedule." The Breisgau side at least had reason to celebrate on Wednesday, as they beat HSV to advance to the round of 16.
Mainz, meanwhile, were eliminated in the second round following a 4-0 defeat at home at the hands of FC Bayern. The 05ers have struggled on home soil this season, picking up just two of their nine points in the Bundesliga at the MEWA Arena.
05ers strong on their travels
In contrast, they have enjoyed far more success on their travels in 2024/25. Mainz are still unbeaten away from home, picking up seven points in the process. They have scored three goals in each of their last four away games. "They are unbeaten in their last three away games," said Schuster, "Mainz will obviously do everything they can to make things tough for us. I'm expecting them to be compact in defence." The 39-year-old is preparing for what will be his first encounter with Mainz as a head coach, and took the time to look back on SC's most recent 3-0 home defeat against St. Pauli. "The biggest lesson learned from the game against St. Pauli was that we need to be patient."
"Evenly-matched game"
"With time, space will open up, which we can use," Schuster said. Vincenzo Grifo, who helped set up Freiburg's opening goal against HSV before scoring from the spot to make it 2-0, has scored five goals and assisted a further six across 10 games in all competition this season. Asked about their upcoming opponents, he said "Mainz have an aggressive, tough squad. I think it will be an evenly-matched game."
A decision on whether Ritsu Doan will be fit enough to play this weekend after missing the cup game against HSV due to an illness is set be made shortly.
Photo: Achim Kelle
