Before training permanently moves to the Europa-Park Stadion, the Dreisamstadion was used as the venue for Thursday’s first-team friendly against SV Sandhausen in the international break.

Last weekend, SC took part in German’s football “Nie Wieder” (Never Again) campaign, which takes a stand against discrimination and hatred of all kind. Today, on the 77th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, banners were on display in the south stand to remember this event.

With a number of players given a rest, new signing Hugo Siquet started down the right-hand side. “He gets up and down and is a good footballer. Now we need him to work on his play without the ball and his tackling,” said Streich on the young Belgian.

After an uneventful start, the away side profited from a mistake in the Freiburg defence. Following a back pass, goalkeeper Benjamin Uphoff’s clearance rebounded off the onrushing Bashkim Ajdini and spun into the back of the net (9’).

Freiburg’s first chance belonged to Nils Petersen, who headed a cross from the left into the arms of Patrick Drewes (15’). Roland Sallai’s free-kick, five minutes later, tested out Drewes from 20 yards out (20’).

The side in 16th in the second division played their part in the game, and had two long-range shots in the first half through Pascal Testroet (31’) and Christian Kinsombi (32’). The first of those was parried by Uphoff, the second went just wide. Freiburg, who made six changes from their last league game, were struggling against an aggressive away side in the first half and had their best chance of the first 45 minutes right at the end. Ermedin Demirovic headed the ball onto the bar (44’).

It didn’t take long for Freiburg to equalise in the second half. Roland Sallai’s free-kick was converted by Nils Petersen (52’). A minute later, Petersen showed his goalscoring ability off once again. A deflected shot by substitute Lucas Höler fell to Petersen and he completed the comeback from close range (53’).

Despite seemingly having Sandhausen under control after going ahead, SC conceded an equaliser with 20 minutes to play. Aleksandr Zhirov rose highest in the box from a corner to make it 2-2 (69’).

Roland Sallai had the best chance for a winner in the 80th minute. The Hungarian’s shot was well saved by Drewes though.

It therefore finished 2-2 in Freiburg. Christian Streich commented: “It was a good test for us and made a lot of sense. Both teams were really committed today.”

Photo: Achim Keller