SC Freiburg experienced a disappointment during a recent friendly against Karlsruher SC, losing 2-1 at their training ground next to the Europa-Park Stadion on March 20, 2025. The match was held behind closed doors, a routine situation during international breaks when several key players were away on national duty.
The day started with Karlsruhe’s Robin Heußer putting his team ahead in the 21st minute with a stunning strike from 20 meters. SC Freiburg’s coach, Julian Schuster, had to contend with a missing squad, absent of eight regular players who were engaged with their respective national teams and additional injuries, including Merlin Röhl. This limited Schuster's options and forced him to feature younger players, including some from their U23 side.
Despite the challenging situation, SC Freiburg managed to equalize shortly after the half-time break. Maximilian Eggestein, who came on as a substitute, found the net in the 52nd minute, volleying home a brilliant shot from close range after a deflected cross from Jordy Makengo. Schuster noted, “He has the quality to score from outside the box as well,” reflecting on Eggestein's impact.
As the match proceeded, Freiburg seemed to regain their rhythm and created a few more opportunities, but the defensive structure of Karlsruhe proved a significant obstacle. Schuster expressed his contentment with the team's second-half performance, stating, “I was a lot happier with our performance in the second half; we did a lot more with the ball.”
However, the joy of the equalizer was short-lived. Louey Ben Farhat, a promising 19-year-old player for KSC, scored the winning goal just 18 minutes later. He capitalized on a mishap from Freiburg’s David Schopper during the build-up, quickly reacting to slot home the ball, sealing the match for the visitors at 2-1. Coach Christian Eichner praised his young talent by stating, “He has made a big step forward; he is very cool in front of the goal at the moment.”
Throughout the contest, Freiburg struggled to display their usual attacking flair. The first half saw almost no meaningful opportunities as they often found themselves thwarted by Karlsruhe’s solid defense. Coach Schuster recognized the test match as an opportunity for players who have seen little action lately, emphasizing that while he was not satisfied with the outcome, the health of his players remained the priority. “The most important thing, however, was that nobody got injured,” he said.
Looking forward, SC Freiburg will aim to regroup as they prepare for their next Bundesliga clash against Union Berlin on March 30, 2025. The failure to secure a victory in this friendly, although disappointing, is seen as a beneficial preparation step as they navigate through a demanding fixture list ahead. The match against Union Berlin will be critical as Freiburg seeks to cement its position in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga.
While the result against Karlsruhe may have been a setback, it also provides valuable insights into player readiness and areas for improvement before the critical phases of the season. Schuster remains optimistic about the contributions from the younger talents and the team's ability to respond effectively in subsequent fixtures.
Overall, SC Freiburg's performance in this friendly against their second-division counterparts highlights the resilience and potential within the squad, necessary as they move forward in their campaign.
