Freiburg host VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga opener: a new era for the Breisgau Brazilians
SC Freiburg kick off the Bundesliga season on Saturday 24 August at 14:30 with a home fixture against VfB Stuttgart at the Europa-Park Stadion. After finishing tenth last season, Freiburg — now under new head coach Julian Schuster — are targeting a European spot this time around. Stuttgart begin the campaign off the back of an eventful summer in which the club lost, among others, top scorer Serhou Guirassy.
A new chapter for Freiburg under Julian Schuster
After thirteen years of loyal service, Christian Streich stepped down as head coach of SC Freiburg. Julian Schuster took the reins on 1 July, and he makes his debut in a high-stakes Bundesliga opener. The Breisgau Brazilians, who finished tenth last season, are aiming higher this time and have bolstered the squad with three new additions. Right winger Eren Dinkci was signed from Werder Bremen for five million euros, midfielder Patrick Osterhage arrived from VfL Bochum for 4.8 million euros, and Maximilian Philipp strengthened the attacking line for one million euros from Wolfsburg. The season got off to a promising start: Freiburg eased past Osnabrück 4-0 in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Lucas Höler and Vincenzo Grifo scored the opening two goals, before Junior Adamu wrapped things up with a brace in the second half. Freiburg carry an unbeaten run of five matches into the clash with Stuttgart. There are caveats, however: last season Freiburg lost both league meetings against Die Roten, for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Their home form was also a concern — just 22 points at the Europa-Park Stadion, the third-worst home record in the entire division and the club's weakest home return since their relegation in 2014-15. A 4-4-2 formation is expected on Saturday, with Höler and Adamu leading the attack.
Stuttgart seek a response after Supercup disappointment
VfB Stuttgart travel to Freiburg in the wake of a painful DFB Supercup exit. Die Roten were beaten on penalties by Bayer Leverkusen after a 2-2 draw. That setback does little to diminish the club's impressive campaign last season, however: Sebastian Hoeneß's side finished as runners-up, their best-ever points haul over a 34-game season. The achievement also earned VfB Stuttgart UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time since 2009-10. The summer proved less straightforward. Top scorer Serhou Guirassy departed for Borussia Dortmund, while Hiroki Ito and Waldemar Anton also left the club. To offset those losses, Hoeneß brought in Ermedin Demirović from FC Augsburg and Jamie Leweling from Union Berlin, among others. Stuttgart are looking to extend their unbeaten run of three opening-day fixtures, with their last defeat in such a run coming in an away game at Freiburg in 2020-21. Die Roten also equalled their club record of 31 away points last season and will be keen to carry that solid form on the road into the new campaign. A 4-2-3-1 system is expected against Freiburg, with Deniz Undav leading the line.
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Source: Sportmonks
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