Freiburg Vs Augsburg

Freiburg’s Bundesliga campaign could reach new heights this weekend as they have the opportunity to finish gameweek seven at the top of the table when they welcome 13th-placed FC Augsburg to Europa-Park-Stadion on Saturday. Currently fourth in the standings, Freiburg are only two points adrift of joint-leaders Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. A victory over their struggling visitors would mark their fifth win of the 2024-25 season and propel them into serious contention at the summit of German football.

Freiburg’s Impressive Start Under New Leadership

Under new manager Julian Schuster, Freiburg have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, already collecting 12 points from their opening six matches. The club’s strong start has exceeded many expectations, as they now sit ahead of Bayer Leverkusen in the standings and are hot on the heels of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. This achievement is made all the more remarkable considering the managerial transition they underwent over the summer. Schuster took over from Christian Streich, who stepped down after almost 13 years in charge of the Breisgau Brazilians. Many fans and pundits alike wondered how the club would adjust to the new era, but Schuster has settled in seamlessly.

Freiburg’s return to winning form, following a brief setback at the end of September when they were stunned by newly-promoted St. Pauli, has given them renewed momentum. Their 1-0 triumph over Werder Bremen just before the international break helped Freiburg retain their position in the top four, and they are now firmly in the mix for the Bundesliga title.

Schuster’s squad has so far taken a minimalist approach to the campaign, managing nine goals in their six league games—an output that may not be prolific but has been enough to secure important results. Defensively, they have remained solid, with only seven goals conceded, four of which came in one uncharacteristic game against St. Pauli. In their other five outings, Freiburg have only allowed three goals, underlining their defensive stability.

The Long Shadow of Christian Streich

Although Schuster has had a strong start, his predecessor, Christian Streich, still looms large over the club. Streich’s influence at Freiburg is undeniable, and his departure last summer marked the end of an era. The long-serving manager was renowned for shaping the team’s identity and guiding them through both highs and lows during his 13-year tenure. Schuster, a former player under Streich, seems to have absorbed many of his predecessor’s key philosophies, particularly in terms of defensive organization and pragmatic attacking play.

However, the new coach has also brought his own flair to the side, allowing for a smooth transition between regimes. While some feared that Streich’s departure might lead to instability, those concerns have been swiftly alleviated by the team’s early-season performances. Now, Schuster is faced with the challenge of maintaining this form and pushing Freiburg into unfamiliar territory at the top of the table.

A Testing Return to Europa-Park-Stadion

Freiburg will be eager to erase the memory of their last home fixture, where they were shocked by St. Pauli. That match marked their only home loss so far this season, but it was a frustrating one, as they allowed three goals and struggled to break down their opponents’ defense.

Since that disappointment, Freiburg regrouped and secured an important win on the road against Werder Bremen, but they will now be under pressure to perform in front of their home fans once more. Augsburg presents an excellent opportunity for the Breisgau Brazilians to bounce back on home soil, given the visitors’ woeful away form.

Augsburg’s Away-Day Struggles

In contrast to Freiburg’s bright start, Augsburg have struggled mightily, particularly on their travels. Jess Thorup’s team currently sits 13th in the Bundesliga standings, with just one win from their first six games. That victory came at home against Borussia Monchengladbach, where they managed a narrow 2-1 win. While Augsburg have shown some resilience at WWK Arena, their away performances have been nothing short of disastrous.

Augsburg have lost both of their away matches this season, with each defeat being heavy and demoralizing. A 4-0 hammering at the hands of newly-promoted Heidenheim in gameweek two was followed by another 4-0 drubbing at the hands of RB Leipzig in round five. These losses reflect a continuation of the poor form they displayed on the road last season, where they ended the campaign with a string of away defeats.

Since March 2024, Augsburg have suffered six consecutive away losses, a run that stretches back to their surprise victories over Darmstadt and Wolfsburg. In their last six road trips, they have conceded 20 goals, while only managing to score six. These alarming statistics highlight the depth of their struggles away from home, and there is little to suggest that they will reverse this trend when they visit Freiburg this weekend.

Augsburg’s Defensive Frailties on the Road

Augsburg’s defensive issues are particularly glaring when playing away from home. Their 4-0 defeats at Heidenheim and Leipzig this season came as no surprise to those who have followed their fortunes over the past few months. Defensive collapses have become a regular occurrence, with Augsburg struggling to maintain any kind of organization or discipline when playing outside the familiar surroundings of their home ground.

Their current six-match losing streak away from home also includes several other humiliating defeats, including a 5-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund and a 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen. The defensive problems have persisted despite efforts to strengthen their backline during the summer transfer window, and manager Jess Thorup has been left scratching his head as to how to stop the rot.

The trip to Freiburg will be a daunting one for Augsburg’s defense, which has been leaking goals at an alarming rate. The club has shipped 14 goals in their last four Bundesliga away games, and the last four visits to Europa-Park-Stadion have been particularly painful, with Augsburg conceding 10 goals and only managing to score once. The history of this fixture certainly does not bode well for Thorup’s side.

Augsburg’s Tactical Approach: Can They Find a Solution?

While Augsburg’s away form has been poor, their performances at home have been significantly better. Thorup’s side has picked up seven points from their four home games this season, placing them among the top five in the league for home results. Their home victory over Monchengladbach showcased their ability to grind out results when playing on familiar turf, but replicating that form on the road has proven to be a monumental challenge.

Augsburg’s tactical approach under Thorup has been primarily focused on defensive solidity, with an emphasis on trying to catch teams on the counter-attack. However, this strategy has often fallen apart against stronger opposition, particularly when they play away from home. Against teams like Leipzig and Dortmund, Augsburg have been completely overrun, and Thorup may need to consider a more cautious approach if they are to have any chance of avoiding another heavy defeat at Freiburg.

Previous Meetings: Freiburg’s Dominance

The history between Freiburg and Augsburg heavily favors the hosts. Freiburg have consistently gotten the better of Augsburg in recent seasons, particularly when playing at Europa-Park-Stadion. In their last four meetings in Freiburg, the Breisgau Brazilians have emerged victorious on every occasion, outscoring their opponents by 10 goals to 1 in those matches.

Augsburg’s last victory in Freiburg came in October 2020, when they pulled off a surprise 3-0 win. Since then, it has been one-way traffic in favor of Freiburg, with Schuster’s side asserting their dominance in each encounter. Augsburg’s poor form on the road, combined with Freiburg’s strong start to the season, points to another likely victory for the home side this weekend.

Conclusion: Freiburg’s Chance to Go Top

Freiburg enter this fixture knowing that a win could potentially lift them to the top of the Bundesliga table, depending on results elsewhere. Their impressive form under Julian Schuster has made them serious contenders, and a victory over Augsburg would further cement their place among the top sides in the league. For Augsburg, the challenge will be to somehow turn around their dreadful away form and avoid another heavy defeat.