The race for fourth place will reach its conclusion in the heart of the Black Forest. The rich and mighty Schalke will be playing the brave Freiburg.
Freiburg’s win last weekend over Greuther Fürth proved invaluable. While few had seen this coming, Schalke managed to break down against Stuttgart, going down at home, 1-2. Stuttgart has nothing to play for aside from the DFB Pokal this season. Yet, the Royal Blues managed to lose! This loss came at the worst possible time; Schalke had just tied down Julian Draxler to a contract extension.
This weekend, this clash will form the basis of the futures of both the clubs. This Schalke side is greatly talented. Missing out on the Champions League will hurt this club, considering the manner in which they exit the competition earlier in the season. For Freiburg, a ticket to the Champions League qualifiers will book them a ticket to the Europa League at least. Those who are lovers of the league will hope Schalke comes through for the sake of the Bundesliga.
Freiburg managed to re-sign the most important person of their team. Christian Streich decided to stay on with the club he has taken to so many highs. Streich wants to stick around for the European adventure be it in the Champions League or its sister competition. Streich will have a real challenge on his hands next season.
His squad is set to be heavily depleted as star players will be walking out. Plenty of players who got them this far will not be around. Also, the team will have to compete in three competitions. Freiburg has managed to do well in two competitions this season but the addition of a third one will be really hard on them. Borussia Dortmund learned that one has to be sacrificed for the other two. Gladbach did not fare well in the Bundesliga following last season’s similar highs.
However, if Freiburg is to make the Champions League, they will surely have deserved it. Freiburg will surely give their best shot; every team wants to match up against the best. Hannover came close to ousting Bayern in 2011 from the Champions League playoff place. Gladbach proved this can be done by usurping Leverkusen last season. Indeed, Freiburg has hope.
Freiburg won both the previous contests between the two sides, 1-3 and 2-1. Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring in their previous encounter only to see two goals from Jan Rosenthal and one from Jonathan Schmid cancel out his effort. Schalke is no stranger to last minute failures. They remarkably won but lost the Bundesliga title within three minutes in 2001. A draw for them will be enough to see them through to the playoffs.
Who will take fourth place in the Bundesliga?
Prediction: Freiburg 1-1 Schalke
This weekend, this clash will form the basis of the futures of both the clubs. This Schalke side is greatly talented. Missing out on the Champions League will hurt this club, considering the manner in which they exit the competition earlier in the season. For Freiburg, a ticket to the Champions League qualifiers will book them a ticket to the Europa League at least. Those who are lovers of the league will hope Schalke comes through for the sake of the Bundesliga.
Freiburg managed to re-sign the most important person of their team. Christian Streich decided to stay on with the club he has taken to so many highs. Streich wants to stick around for the European adventure be it in the Champions League or its sister competition. Streich will have a real challenge on his hands next season.
His squad is set to be heavily depleted as star players will be walking out. Plenty of players who got them this far will not be around. Also, the team will have to compete in three competitions. Freiburg has managed to do well in two competitions this season but the addition of a third one will be really hard on them. Borussia Dortmund learned that one has to be sacrificed for the other two. Gladbach did not fare well in the Bundesliga following last season’s similar highs.
However, if Freiburg is to make the Champions League, they will surely have deserved it. Freiburg will surely give their best shot; every team wants to match up against the best. Hannover came close to ousting Bayern in 2011 from the Champions League playoff place. Gladbach proved this can be done by usurping Leverkusen last season. Indeed, Freiburg has hope.
Freiburg won both the previous contests between the two sides, 1-3 and 2-1. Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring in their previous encounter only to see two goals from Jan Rosenthal and one from Jonathan Schmid cancel out his effort. Schalke is no stranger to last minute failures. They remarkably won but lost the Bundesliga title within three minutes in 2001. A draw for them will be enough to see them through to the playoffs.
Who will take fourth place in the Bundesliga?
Prediction: Freiburg 1-1 Schalke
