SC Freiburg rounds off the series of Bundesliga tactical previews as the 18th and final club ahead of the 2026/27 season. Manager Julian Schuster has reshaped his squad after a summer of significant transfer activity, as analysed by www.getfootballnewsgermany.com. The Breisgau side head into the new campaign looking to build on an 8th place finish last season with 40 points, a position you can review in our standings section.
How has the squad changed?
The SC Freiburg squad has undergone a clear transformation this summer. The departures of goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who joined Eintracht Frankfurt, and midfielder Merlin Röhl, whose pre-arranged move to Everton was completed, brought in major funds. Further sales included Johan Manzambi, Robert Wagner, Junior Adamu, Noah Weißhaupt, and the loans of Eren Dinkçi and Karl Steinmann. The estimated summer transfer balance stands at a surplus of around €51.55 million. In return, the club made targeted signings. The biggest investment was the record transfer of goalkeeper Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen for a base fee of €12 million. In attack, Keisuke Goto arrived from Anderlecht for €10 million, while Yannik Engelhardt and Rihito Yamamoto joined for €7 million each to add further offensive options.
What tactical options are available?
Julian Schuster tested various formations during pre-season. A 4-4-2 defensive shape and a 4-2-3-1 in possession were often seen. The strike partnership of Keisuke Goto and Igor Matanovic was particularly trialled. The flexibility of players like Berkay Yilmaz, used at left-back and in central midfield, provides the manager with additional options. Schuster stated: "His flexibility gives Freiburg considerably more than merely a third candidate for one position." On the right wing, Niklas Beste is currently ahead of Cyriaque Irié on the developmental curve, with Irié's first season disrupted by malaria and adaptation problems. The 23-year-old Max Rosenfelder, who recorded a top speed of 35.91 km/h, offers options at centre-back and right-back but must continue his injury-interrupted career.
How did pre-season go?
SC Freiburg's preparations included three competitive fixtures before the Bundesliga kickoff: two Conference League playoff legs against Motherwell and a DFB-Pokal trip to Düsseldorf. Friendly results were mixed. There was a 3-1 win over Derby County, a 0-3 loss to Greuther Fürth, and two 2-0 victories against Racing Strasbourg, where Lucas Höler and Derry Scherhant shone. Another highlight was a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace, where new signing Yannik Engelhardt scored the opener, Höler headed in a second from a Scherhant corner, and Scherhant delicately chipped in the third. The 33-year-old Vincenzo Grifo, who recently signed an extension, was also on the scoresheet.
What does this mean for the season opener?
With the season starting on 30 August against Werder Bremen, the new squad must prove its worth. An injury list featuring Florent Muslija, Patrick Osterhage, and new signing Rihito Yamamoto presents an initial challenge. The team aims to build on last season's European success, which saw them reach a final. The combined €36 million investment in Backhaus, Goto, Engelhardt, and Yamamoto shows a desire to remain competitive. Current injury news is available on our injuries page. The opening games will reveal if the new blend of experienced figures like Grifo and young talents like Scherhant, signed from Hertha BSC in May 2025 after scoring five times in the first half of last season, can gel. The upcoming Bundesliga challenges are the next test for the revamped SC Freiburg team.
