Freiburg vs. Wolfsburg
Nils Petersen and Wout Weghorst shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility for Freiburg and Wolfsburg respectively at the Schwarzwald-Stadion on Sunday
(kick-off: 6pm CEST/5pm BST/12pm ET).
Petersen opened the scoring against promoted VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 1 to extend his tally to a club-leading 88 competitive goals. It looked like being a routine win for Freiburg, who were 3-0 up by the 48th minute, but the concession of two second-half goals set up a nervy finale and left Christian Streich with plenty of food for thought. The Bundesliga's longest-serving active coach is still without goalkeeper Mark Flekken, meaning Mainz loanee Florian Müller will continue between the posts. Defender Keven Schlotterbeck and midfielder Janik Haberer are also sidelined. Ex-Bayern Munich winger Jeong Woo-yeong and Lucas Höler joined Petersen in attack against Stuttgart, with Roland Sallai excelling further back with a goal and assist. Summer signing Ermedin Demirovic didn't make it off the bench, but his 2019/20 tally of 14 goals in 19 appearances for Swiss club St. Gallen suggest it is only a matter of time before he debuts in the Bundesliga.
Try as he might, Weghorst could not blow the door down against Bayer Leverkusen. Wolfsburg's top scorer for two seasons running was denied a goal by a fine Lukas Hradecky save on the stroke of half-time, while former Freiburg forward Admir Mehmedi had an effort ruled out for an earlier offside in the only goalless draw of the opening weekend.
Although an encouraging performance on the one hand, it was also a reminder of the inconsistencies that plagued the Wolves throughout 2019/20 on the other.
Oliver Glasner's side recorded just four home wins in last season's Bundesliga, compared to nine on their travels.
True to form, Wolfsburg won 4-1 away to Regionalliga outfit Union Fürstenwalde in the DFB Cup first round a fortnight ago, a game which captain Josuha Guilavogui began alongside summer signing Maxence Lacroix at centre-back.
The Frenchman's return from suspension comes at the perfect time after Maxence Lacroix took a minor knock in UEFA Europa League action in midweek, and is a doubt for Sunday.
US international John Brooks could start in his place.
Josip Brekalo is also a doubt with a foot injury, while defenders Marin Pongracic and William are still out.
Match stats
Freiburg have won their last three home matches in a row. They haven’t won four on the spin in four years.
Die Breisgauer are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Wolfsburg.
Petersen took his tally to 76 goals in 215 Bundesliga appearances with his strike against Stuttgart. He has registered four goals and three assists in nine career meetings with Wolfsburg.
Freiburg and Wolfsburg scored 48 Bundesliga goals apiece last season - the fewest number of total team goals in the top half of the final standings.
Wolfsburg recorded nine of their 13 Bundesliga wins in 2019/20 away from home, including six of their last eight.
Mehmedi began his Bundesliga career with Freiburg, scoring 16 goals in 60 appearances in 2013/14 and 2014/15.
Probable line-ups
Freiburg 433: Müller - Schmid, Lienhart, Heintz, Günter (c) - Sallai, Höfler, Grifo – Jeong, Petersen, Höler
Doubtful: -
Out: Flekken (elbow), Haberer (ankle), Schlotterbeck (muscular), Til (ankle)
Coach: Christian Streich
Wolfsburg 4231: Casteels (c) - Steffen, Lacroix, Guilavogui, Roussillon - Schlager, Arnold - Victor, Mehmedi, Brekalo – Weghorst
Doubtful: Lacroix (knock), Brekalo (foot)
Out: Mbabu (knee), Pongracic (glandular fever), William (knee)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
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