The starting lineups for the Bundesliga opener between SC Freiburg and Werder Bremen were confirmed about an hour before kickoff. Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus will start for Freiburg against his former club, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Head coach Julian Schuster has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Alongside Backhaus in goal, Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart and Makengo form the back four. Eggestein and Engelhardt operate in defensive midfield. The attacking positions behind striker Matanović are occupied by Beste, Suzuki and Scherhant. For Werder Bremen, Ole Werner has set up a 4-3-3 system, led by striker Niclas Füllkrug.
What is the significance of Mio Backhaus?
The most personal storyline of the match involves the goalkeeper. Mio Backhaus only moved from Werder Bremen to SC Freiburg in the past summer transfer window. He now makes his debut for his new club directly against his old team. This scenario adds an extra emotional layer to the fixture. Backhaus was the first-choice goalkeeper for the northern German side last season.
His performances are key to Freiburg's ambitions. The club aims to push for European qualification again this season after narrowly missing out in the previous campaign. Checking the current standings shows that every match counts from the very start.
What is the tactical approach?
Schuster's choice of a 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizes a desire for control and flexible transitions. With Eggestein and Engelhardt in defensive midfield, Freiburg has two players who can both stabilize defensively and initiate attacks. Ahead of them, the trio of Beste, Suzuki and Scherhant is tasked with providing creativity and goal threat.
This setup allows Freiburg to switch between compact defending and offensive pressure depending on the flow of the game. The full squad overview and further statistical details can be found on our squad and stats pages. For Werder Bremen, after a disappointing 15th-place finish in the 2025/26 season, avoiding relegation is the clear priority.
What does the season opener mean for the objectives?
The first matchday sets an early marker for the entire season. A win against a direct competitor for mid-table positions would be a perfect start for Freiburg's European ambitions. The team showed promising signs during pre-season friendly matches.
For Werder Bremen, however, the focus is on collecting points for a safe mid-table position right from the beginning. The appointment of manager Ole Werner in the summer is meant to bring a fresh impetus. Freiburg's next challenge comes next weekend with an away match at 1. FC Köln, as shown in the fixtures calendar.
