SC’s next opponents have been in fine form in front of goal this season, scoring 29 goals, their best ever tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign. By comparison, Freiburg have scored 17 – Julian Schuster discovered a possible reason for this relatively moderate total when analysing the 1-1 draw against TSG Hoffenheim last time out: “We made wrong decisions in promising positions. It’s something we need to improve on so that we can create more chances –we’ll then be more likely to score more goals too.”

Schuster reported that the players have been working on their decision making in the final third in training this week. “It’s important that we get into these positions at all, from which we then ‘only’ have to complete a final pass or cross. In a few situations it was just one bad touch,” he said.

Spoilt for choice in the middle

The Freiburg coach opted for a formation that allowed him to start Nicolas Höfler, Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage against Hoffenheim and previously in Dortmund, and this could once again be an option to face Wolfsburg. “We don’t just have to select two of the three and I’m really happy that we’re versatile and can surprise teams.”

Merlin Röhl, who is finding his form after recovering from injury, is another candidate to play in the middle of the park. When asked about Röhl and Eren Dinkci, Schuster commented: “We’re now coming towards the time where we can think about putting them back in the starting XI.”

Wolfsburg dangerous on the break

Goalkeeper Florian Müller is definitely going to miss the game against VfL Wolfsburg after being taken off with concussion in the Pokal game at Bielefeld. Otherwise though, there is a good number of players in training currently and Schuster has plenty of decisions to make regarding his side. Friday’s clash sees a team strong at home take on one in excellent form on the road. Freiburg have lost only one of their six home games this season (3-0 vs. FC St. Pauli), while the Wolves have only been beaten on their travels in Leverkusen (4-3).

“They’re a solid side and have clear patterns of play. They can be compact in defence and have enormous quality when it comes to transitions. That’s potentially one reason for their good away results,” analysed Schuster. In order to deal with VfL’s counter-attacking quality, Schuster believes his team needs to be focused in defence and find a good balance between pushing men forward and leaving them back to cover.

Photo: SC Freiburg