Freiburg have lost points despite leading in the 88th minute on five occasions already this season. This has seen them lose out on a possible 10 points. As well as that they missed a penalty in two games that finished 0-0 this campaign. If you add those 14 points on, that they arguably should have got had they been able more efficient, they would be third in the table; an automatic Champions League spot.
It could be argued that their performances do not deserve such a low position but this is where Christian Streich’s men are and the weaknesses need resolving and fast.
In their last game - the 2-2 draw at home to Hannover 96 – perfectly sums up their campaign so far. Defender Marc-Oliver Kempf headed in to put his side 2-0 up with just nine minutes remaining. The visitors halved the deficit soon after before a poor clearance from goalkeeper Roman Bürki saw Joselu equalise deep into stoppage time. Frustration boiled over as Christian Günter reprimanded his keeper in the aftermath.
As mentioned this is not the first time it has happened, see Ronny’s stoppage time costless-kick for 10-man Hertha in September. The very next week they conceded again in stoppage time this time in the 3-3 draw at Hoffenheim. A similar story at Mainz and Paderborn occurred. Even at fellow strugglers Werder Bremen they lead in the game only for Franco Di Santo to equalise in the first half.
It must be so frustrating for those connected with the club that the team are producing performances but not results. Czech midfielder Vladimir Darida has been a highlight though. He is Die Breisgau’s top scorer with five goals including the winning penalty in their first win of the season at Köln’s RheinEnergie Stadion.
Penalties have made up just under 25 per cent of SCF’s goals in the Hinrunde and that is after missing two spot-kicks. They are a team that likes to use width and create chances from out wide. This is highlighted by their territorial statistics and the form of winger Jonathan Schmid, who has the most assists to his name providing for four goals. The German also has the highest average percentage of successful passes at the club with 75%. Goalkeeper Bürki has also impressed despite his recent mistake, his performance at the Allianz Arena, in particular, was exceptional.
Looking at it from an optimistic perspective, at least there is something to build on when the campaign restarts. Freiburg have lost a lot of key players following their Europa League campaign a couple of years but they showed last season they have the grit and determination to be successful in a relegation dog-fight. The teams around them have plenty of weakness and faults too so, personally it seems that the club on the outskirts of the Schwarzwald will stay up – just.