A direct battle for the Champions League qualifying spot is set to take place this week as Freiburg takes on Frankfurt.
After midweek European action, Friday is usually the day reserved in the Bundesliga for a battle between two sides which are not participating in Europe. Ironically, this Friday’s battle is set to take place between two sides which are both almost set for European action next week. Late collapses are not shocking in the Bundesliga however; Frankfurt can certainly relate to that.
In the 2010-11 season, Frankfurt looked set to qualify for European action in the first half of the season but then suffered relegation. This time around, Frankfurt has managed to remain steady following the winter break by garnering enough wins and draws. However, last week they were embarrassed in a week in which Freiburg went on to record a fantastic victory.
Two quick goals from Marco Reus saw the Signal Iduna Park crowd cheer on their side loudly. Frankfurt was shell shocked. They were getting humiliated despite the suspension of Robert Lewandowski. In the 31st minute, they were granted a lifeline when Julian Schieber was shown a red card following a second yellow. Yet, Reus went on to add another one. Die Adler appeared rather listless. Takashi Inui was the next man sent off. He will be suspended this week as a result.
Freiburg wasted little time to take the lead in Bremen against Werder. Max Kruse inevitably opened the scoring. Nils Petersen however equalized. Daniel Caligiuri converted from the spot in the second half to give his side the lead. Once again, Petersen banished the lead. Karim Guede and Petersen both came close to scoring for their respective sides. Eventually, Freiburg had the last laugh as Matthias Ginter scored with roughly 20 minutes left on the clock.
Freiburg was supposed to fall away after the winter break as many sides have often done in the past. The same was supposed to happen to Frankfurt. Frankfurt has seemed slightly erratic after the winter break but Freiburg has been consistent throughout. Christian Streich’s side look set to enter European competition next season.
If they can beat a Frankfurt side which has just lost a bit of flair this year, they can overtake fourth spot. The down to earth side from the Black Forest, with a bit of luck, might even find themselves amongst the elite in the Champions League next season on current form.
Prediction: Freiburg 2-1 Frankfurt
In the 2010-11 season, Frankfurt looked set to qualify for European action in the first half of the season but then suffered relegation. This time around, Frankfurt has managed to remain steady following the winter break by garnering enough wins and draws. However, last week they were embarrassed in a week in which Freiburg went on to record a fantastic victory.
Two quick goals from Marco Reus saw the Signal Iduna Park crowd cheer on their side loudly. Frankfurt was shell shocked. They were getting humiliated despite the suspension of Robert Lewandowski. In the 31st minute, they were granted a lifeline when Julian Schieber was shown a red card following a second yellow. Yet, Reus went on to add another one. Die Adler appeared rather listless. Takashi Inui was the next man sent off. He will be suspended this week as a result.
Freiburg wasted little time to take the lead in Bremen against Werder. Max Kruse inevitably opened the scoring. Nils Petersen however equalized. Daniel Caligiuri converted from the spot in the second half to give his side the lead. Once again, Petersen banished the lead. Karim Guede and Petersen both came close to scoring for their respective sides. Eventually, Freiburg had the last laugh as Matthias Ginter scored with roughly 20 minutes left on the clock.
Freiburg was supposed to fall away after the winter break as many sides have often done in the past. The same was supposed to happen to Frankfurt. Frankfurt has seemed slightly erratic after the winter break but Freiburg has been consistent throughout. Christian Streich’s side look set to enter European competition next season.
If they can beat a Frankfurt side which has just lost a bit of flair this year, they can overtake fourth spot. The down to earth side from the Black Forest, with a bit of luck, might even find themselves amongst the elite in the Champions League next season on current form.
Prediction: Freiburg 2-1 Frankfurt
