With the biggest game in club history on his mind, but a minor final ahead: Julian Schuster is confident that he and SC Freiburg will “find the right mix,” just as they have all season. Meanwhile, there is noteworthy news from the medical department.
Three weeks ago, a Freiburg dream was shattered. The dream of reaching the DFB Cup final again after 2022—and then actually winning it. But in the 119th minute, VfB Stuttgart’s winning goal brought the entire Breisgau region back down to earth. Now, in mid-May, this experience is set to become a key factor on the path to a bigger title.
“We put in a performance that would have earned us a spot in the final. But something was missing. We have to be aware of that. It’s already helped us against Braga, and it will help us in the final as well. We’ll feel the quality. The question is: What happens then? How do you deal with it? Every big game helps us with that,” Julian Schuster explained on Thursday, six days before the big final, two days before the smaller one.
Freiburg can weave a safety net
Because before the Europa League trophy is up for grabs in Istanbul on May 20, the final Bundesliga match is on the schedule. With a win over RB Leipzig, the Sport-Club can secure 7th place regardless of the competition from Frankfurt and Augsburg, thereby creating a safety net should they lose the big final. Participation in the Conference League would be guaranteed in that case.
But how much energy can and should the SC expend on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.? Defensive leader Matthias Ginter recently emphasized that the Europa League final is his priority. As expected, Schuster didn’t want to take such a clear stance in favor of the match leading to Istanbul: “We’ve found the right balance all year long—playing midweek while also staying focused on the Bundesliga. We want 7th place, and we’ll do everything we can to get it. Right now, there’s nothing else but Saturday’s game.”
“That’s what set us apart”
Even though the big final is on everyone’s mind, Schuster doesn’t feel he needs to make it clear in the locker room before Saturday’s home game what’s at stake. “Not at all. When you see the guys’ attitude after the Braga game, how their focus was already back on the task at hand. That’s something I’m very grateful for—having these characters, with this ambition too. I think that’s what has set us apart again this season: having this competitive situation, this battle for the spots, and simply having to give it our all. That’s something you can’t always demand as a coach, because then you wear yourself out,” the 41-year-old raved about the team.
And essentially also about the work of the sporting staff led by Jochen Saier and Klemens Hartenbach: “The club has created ideal conditions to ensure this quality of players is available. That’s a huge foundation for developing together.”
Schuster is spoiled for choice
The athletic and medical staff are also doing remarkable work in Breisgau this season. The players have 52 competitive matches under their belts. By the end of the season, there will be 54 matches spread over six days. And even though one or two players naturally can’t bring the same freshness to the field as they did at the start of the season, Schuster has almost the full squad at his disposal.
“A huge compliment to everyone in blue who helped ensure that, on May 14, all players except Yuito Suzuki were on the training field. That’s not a given with the number of games and the many midweek fixtures. That really shows the professionalism of the guys,“ Schuster emphasized, continuing: ”A big thank you also goes to the athletic trainers, rehab coaches, doctors, and physios. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. Simply to everyone who contributed. That’s also a quality—being available and ensuring we bring quality to the field.”
This means that Patrick Osterhage is also back in action following his knee surgery in early April. Although, given the high stakes of the competition, it’s unlikely he’ll play after weeks without match practice. It would have taken magic to get Suzuki fit as well. The Japanese player suffered a fracture of his right collarbone less than two weeks ago.
This situation gives Schuster various options ahead of the two final matches. According to his statements, it’s impossible to predict to what extent he’ll want to rest players for the Europa League final—or whether the starting eleven should continue to gel for at least 60 minutes. If that’s even necessary after 52 competitive matches in a single season…