SC Freiburg

SC Freiburg are a Bundesliga side based in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau in Baden-Wurttemberg. Established in 1904, Freiburg have never won the German top-flight title, but have four second-division titles to their name.

Freiburg have traditionally been known as a ‘yo-yo’ club, frequently bouncing between the first and second divisions, with a famous fan chant being created in the 1990s due to this tendency of the club – “We go down, we go up, we go into the UEFA Cup!”. The current manager of the German national football team, Joachim Loew, is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 81 goals from 252 games.

Volker Finke, who was the club’s manager from 1991 to 2007, has the record for the longest unbroken spell in charge of a club in the history of German professional football. Their constant movement between the leagues can be seen by the fact that they qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1995, only to suffer relegation in 1997. They have been relegated four times since they first appeared in the Bundesliga in 1993-94, but have thrice won back promotion the very next season, lending further credence to the ‘yo-yo club’ moniker. They were last promoted in 2016, as second-division champions. Their highest Bundesliga finish has been fifth place.

The club play their home games at the Schwarzwald-Stadion, a 24,000 capacity stadium in Freiburg. It was built in 1953, and was previously known as the Dreisamstadion, being close to the river Dreisam. The club’s colours are black and white, seen on the club crest and the home kit. Freiburg’s notable rivals are VfB Stuttgart and Karlsruher FC.

The first-team head coach is currently Christian Streich. He has been at the post since 2011, having previously managed the Under-19 side, and been assistant manager as well. The side is currently captained by Mike Frantz, who joined the club in 2014.

Freiburg have had a decent 2019-20 season so far, sitting in eighth place in the league when it was called off. They were only a point away from FC Schalke 04 and a Europa League play-off spot, while being a point clear of Hoffenheim in ninth place.