SC Freiburg wants to underline its chance of taking part in the Europa League or the Conference League with a win on Saturday against 1. FC Köln.
Three match days before the end of the season in the Bundesliga, SC Freiburg is still hoping for its third European Cup participation in a row, despite many personnel problems. Everyone who will be on the pitch in the game against relegation candidate 1. FC Köln on Saturday (from 6:30 p.m. live in the audio stream at sportschau.de) must do everything they can to ensure that “we are all really happy again at the end of the season can,” said SC coach Christian Streich on Thursday.
After Borussia Dortmund’s victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, seventh place in the Bundesliga table is enough for Freiburg to take part in the playoffs for the Conference League before matchday 32.
If champions Bayer Leverkusen win the DFB Cup against second division team 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the final at the end of May, even eighth place would be enough. The seventh place would then compete in the Europa League. In addition, it is at least not impossible that Freiburg, with its current 40 points, will overtake sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt (45) with a winning streak.
Personnel concerns at SC Freiburg
However, the sports club is traveling to Cologne without a number of injured or suspended professionals. In addition to several long-term injuries and midfielder Merlin Röhl (torn hamstring), midfielder Nicolas Höfler (yellow suspension) and defender Kiliann Sildillia (red suspension) are also missing. Freiburg recently won three times in a row away from home, but lost 2-1 at home to VfL Wolfsburg last weekend.
In the event of a draw or a Freiburg win, Cologne could be relegated as early as Sunday. “It’s dangerous for us because there’s a lot of energy,” Streich warned his players: “But on the other hand, Cologne is also under a lot of pressure.”
Broadcast on Sun, May 5, 2024, 10:05 p.m., SWR Sport, SWR