SC Freiburg booked their place in the second round of the DFB-Pokal with a commanding 5-1 victory away at third-tier Fortuna Düsseldorf. The Bundesliga side controlled the match on August 23, 2026, with substitute Igor Matanović playing a starring role, as reported by MDR Sport.
How did the match unfold for SC Freiburg?
Freiburg took charge from the opening whistle. An early goal provided a foundation, but the tie was truly decided by a shrewd tactical substitution. In the 69th minute, coach Julian Schuster introduced Igor Matanović and Derry Scherhant. Just two minutes later, Matanović headed home from a Scherhant corner to make it 2-0. Lukas Kübler soon added a third. Although Fabian Schleusener pulled one back for Düsseldorf, further goals from Jordy Makengo and another from Matanović in stoppage time sealed the emphatic 5-1 result. Makengo's finish was set up by an impressive no-look pass from Matanović.
What impact did the substitutes have?
Julian Schuster's changes proved decisive. Igor Matanović was the standout performer. The striker, who came on for Yuito Suzuki in the 69th minute, scored twice and provided an assist. His first was a powerful header from a Derry Scherhant corner. His second in the 94th minute put the result beyond doubt. Scherhant himself contributed an assist. Later substitutes like Cyriaque Irié and Keisuke Goto also added fresh energy. The coach's tactic of revitalizing the attack with new players worked perfectly.
Where does SC Freiburg stand this season?
The confident cup win comes at a good time. In the Bundesliga, Julian Schuster's team has made a solid start, taking two points from their first two league games before this cup tie. The squad is showing a good balance between defensive solidity and attacking efficiency. Key pillars like defender Matthias Ginter and midfielder Maximilian Eggestein are in good form. The depth of the squad was on full display in Düsseldorf, where several squad players impressed. The current league position and all match details can be found on our standings page.
What's next for SC Freiburg?
Focus now shifts entirely to European competition. The decisive UEFA Conference League play-off first leg against Motherwell is scheduled for later the same week. This clash is significant for the rest of the season. Qualification for the group stage would bring not only sporting prestige but also financial rewards. A Bundesliga home fixture follows at the weekend. The full schedule for the season is available on our fixtures page. Preparation for Motherwell will be the focus of training, with the team aiming to carry the positive momentum from the cup win.
Who featured in the winning lineup in Düsseldorf?
Goalkeeper Noah Backhaus started between the posts. The defense consisted of Lukas Kübler, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, and Jordy Makengo. The midfield featured Yuito Suzuki, Maximilian Eggestein, and Jan-Niklas Beste. Vincenzo Grifo and Lucas Höler led the attack. From the bench, besides the match-winning substitutes Matanović and Scherhant, Christian Günter, Bruno Ogbus, Cyriaque Irié, and Keisuke Goto also saw action. The complete squad overview with all players is on the squad page. The next competitive match is the Conference League play-off against Motherwell on August 28, 2026.
