SC Freiburg wins 3:0 in dress rehearsal against Crystal Palace
SC Freiburg secured a 3:0 victory against Conference League winners Crystal Palace in their final pre-season test match. In front of 29,000 spectators at the Europa-Park Stadion, goals from Yannik Engelhardt (57'), Lucas Höler (66') and Derry Scherhant (104') sealed the win. The team finished 8th in the Bundesliga last season with 40 points (11 wins, 7 draws, 11 losses).
What made the difference?
After a goalless first half, Engelhardt put Freiburg ahead by tapping in after a shot from Yuito Suzuki. Coach Julian Schuster then made six substitutions to test his squad rotation ahead of the playoff match in Scotland. Substitutes Höler and Scherhant took their chances to secure the victory.
Why does this matter for Freiburg?
The win boosts confidence ahead of the first competitive match in the Conference League playoffs against FC Motherwell. The Höler-Scherhant combination had already proven effective in previous friendlies against Racing Straßburg. With 42 goals scored last season (47 conceded), Freiburg aims to improve defensively in the new campaign.
What's next?
The first competitive match takes place in Scotland on Thursday (8:30 PM). After that, Freiburg will host Eintracht Frankfurt on February 13, 2027, who finished 7th last season.
