Freiburg take on VfB Stuttgart in Bundesliga opener.

2024-09-15

As the Bundesliga unfolds, Freiburg, under new management and fresh signings, faces a revamped Stuttgart aiming to recapture their impressive away form in a season opener that promises to set the tone for both clubs chasing European aspirations.

SC Freiburg

Freiburg will kick off their Bundesliga campaign with a clash against Stuttgart this Saturday. The Breisgau Brazilians have undergone a significant change, parting ways with Christian Streich, their head coach for 13 years. Julian Schuster has taken the helm, stepping into the managerial seat on July 1.

In their push for European places this season, Freiburg has strengthened its squad with three new additions. Right-winger Eren Dinkci joined from Werder Bremen for €5 million, midfielder Patrick Osterhage came from Bochum for €4.8 million, and Maximilian Philipp was acquired for €1 million from Wolfsburg.

The team resumed competitive football on a high note, defeating Osnabrück 4-0 in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Goals came from Lucas Höler, Vincenzo Grifo, and a second-half brace by Junior Adamu.

Freiburg now hopes to extend their five-match unbeaten run on BL matchday one as they host Stuttgart on Saturday. However, they will be mindful of last term’s performance, where they lost both matches against Die Roten for the first time since the 2017–18 season.

Last season, Freiburg managed just 22 points at home, the third-worst in the league, marking their poorest home record since their relegation in 2014–15. For Saturday’s fixture, a 4—4—2 formation with Höler and Adamu in attack is expected.

VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart will hope to quickly bounce back from their DFB Supercup defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. Die Roten lost via penalties after a 2-2 draw.

After needing a relegation play-off to stay up in 2022–23, Sebastian Hoeneß's side stormed through last season, finishing in second place. It was their best-ever tally across a 34-game season, helping them secure UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time since 2009–10.

However, the visitors faced a challenging summer transfer window, losing key players like top scorer Serhou Guirassy to Dortmund, as well as Hiroki Ito and Waldemar Anton. Hoeneß hopes new additions, such as Ermedin Demirović from Augsburg and Jamie Leweling from Union Berlin, will help steady the ship.

Die Roten aim to extend their three-match unbeaten run on matchday one, though their last opening day defeat was against Freiburg in the 2020–21 season. The visitors, who equalled their club-record 31 points on the road last term, will look to replicate similar away form this season.

A 4—2—3—1 formation with Deniz Undav in attack is expected against Freiburg.