SC Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster has appeared to deliver a subtle response to former midfielder Merlin Röhl while reflecting upon the atmosphere inside the club ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga meeting with Schalke 04.
Schuster revealed at his pre-match press conference that he had spent part of the extended international break reading interviews with former Freiburg players. The SC trainer then offered an observation that could be interpreted as a likely reference to Röhl, now at Everton.
“It’s often the case that, once you no longer have something, you realise what you’re missing,” Schuster remarked.
Röhl recently spoke at length about his adjustment to life in England and some of the cultural differences he has encountered since leaving Freiburg. Schuster nevertheless used the subject primarily to praise the environment his current squad has created; something current Freiburg professional Maximilian Eggestein also emphasized in his recent Kicker interview.
“We have a special locker room with special characters,” Schuster said, also highlighting the manner in which difficult sporting decisions are handled internally. “In that respect, we’re definitely a top team. And we have to preserve and protect our top locker room [atmosphere].”
Freiburg seek to continue record Bundesliga start
There has been little reason for Schuster to disturb the mood. Freiburg entered the international break with ten points from their opening four Bundesliga fixtures, establishing a new club record for this stage of a season. Their twelve goals also represent a new Freiburg best through four matchdays, with nine of them coming at home.
Yuito Suzuki has been among the most important contributors. The Japanese international has already scored four Bundesliga goals, equalling his total from the entirety of last season. Jordy Makengo has enjoyed an equally striking turnaround. The left-back has supplied four assists across his last five appearances after failing to record a single scorer point in his previous 58.
Makengo also made his DR Congo debut during the international break and, according to Schuster, returned to Freiburg “grinning.”
“We can ideally pick up where we left off,” the Freiburg trainer said.
Increased competition presents new challenge for Freiburg academy
The improving first-team level has nevertheless created its own complications. Schuster believes Freiburg’s squad has grown stronger through the club’s broader development, external recruitment and the retention of established players. That increased competition means some senior professionals will not even make Sunday’s matchday squad.
It also makes the pathway from Freiburg’s academy more demanding.
The club celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Fußballschule during the international break, while several U23 players were given opportunities to train with the senior side during the extended pause.
Schuster remains committed to integrating academy players, although the impending return of European football will reduce training time considerably. Freiburg begin their Conference League campaign at home to Jablonec on Thursday.
Schuster wary of Schalke defensive strength
Before that, however, Freiburg face a tough Bundesliga test in the form of Schalke. Schuster warned that Freiburg’s prolific start should not be regarded as automatic evidence that another high-scoring performance will follow.
He praised Sunday’s opponents for defending “passionately as a collective” and possessing players who commit themselves to the task with “100 percent conviction.”
Schalke’s recent goalless draw with Bayern Munich offered an obvious example. Schuster also stressed that the promoted side carry a threat in transition and from set pieces.
Freiburg can at least draw confidence from an excellent recent record in the fixture. The Breisgau club are unbeaten in their last eight meetings with Schalke, winning six and keeping seven clean sheets.
Only Bruno Ogbus (muscular problems) and Berkay Yilmaz (dental surgery) are expected to miss out. Freiburg’s internationals all returned fit.
A record Bundesliga start, a healthy squad and European football about to return.
For all Schuster’s insistence upon preserving the locker-room culture, Freiburg currently have plenty worth protecting.
