Christian Streich’s Freiburg: A Tactical Revolution in the Bundesliga
After two consecutive seasons finishing in the top ten, SC Freiburg have surged to the upper echelons of the Bundesliga, chasing an unprecedented Champions League spot. Under the guidance of Christian Streich, the team has thrived with an energetic, high-pressing approach, outmaneuvering some of Germany’s elite clubs despite a roster without household names. Building on previous tactical discussions, this analysis delves into how Streich has transformed Freiburg’s playing style during the 2021-22 campaign.
Preferred Formation and Key Squad Members
Christian Streich has proven to be a manager who values tactical versatility, but Freiburg have achieved most of their success this season with a 3-4-3 formation. Out of 14 league matches, they have lined up in variations of either 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 for more than half their games, while switching to a 4-4-2 (or occasionally a 4-4-1-1) setup based on the opposition.
Streich’s selection stability is evident, with five players featuring in every match so far:
– Christian Günter: Team captain and ever-present left-back/wing-back, recently called up to the Germany national team.
– Mark Flekken: The first-choice goalkeeper, playing every minute between the posts.
– Philipp Lienhart and Nico Schlotterbeck: Reliable central defenders forming the backbone of the side.
– Lucas Höler: The versatile attacker, adept across every attacking role.
Vincenzo Grifo, perhaps the squad’s brightest talent, regularly operates from the left, while Woo-Yeong Jeong has cemented himself on the right. The midfield partnership of seasoned Nicolas Höfler and summer signing Maximilian Eggestein (formerly of Werder Bremen) provides defensive balance and creativity. Lukas Kübler frequently handles the right-sided defensive duties, and Manuel Gulde steps into the back three as needed. Rising star Kevin Schade, just 20, adds flair and unpredictability off the bench, showcasing skillful footwork in recent matches.
Tactically, Freiburg adapt between a 3-4-3 and a 4-4-2 based on opponent strengths:
– They tend to adopt 4-4-2 against teams with strong vertical play, such as Borussia Dortmund or Stuttgart.
– Facing sides who exploit width—like Bayern Munich or Eintracht Frankfurt—they revert to a 3-4-3, benefiting from extra defensive cover.
Building from the Back: Structure and Patterns
Freiburg’s build-up phase typically involves a “4+1” structure, regardless of the official formation. This composition features four defenders forming the first line, with one midfielder—Höfler—operating just ahead, facilitating transitions and supporting ball progression.
Key characteristics of their build-up include:
– On the right, the full-back or wing-back (often Kübler) and the left-sided centre-back (Schlotterbeck) advance higher than the central defenders to stretch the first line of pressure.
– Höfler, as the single pivot, is crucial for pulling opposition midfielders out of position, creating pockets for the likes of Jeong and Eggestein to receive between the lines.
– The team alternates between short, patient passing sequences and more direct switches, demonstrating increased comfort in possession compared to previous seasons.
This evolution is exemplified by their performance in a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig, where Freiburg surprisingly dominated possession—a testament to their newfound ability to hold the ball against high-caliber opponents.
Freiburg also strategically utilize width during build-up phases, particularly down their favored left side, leveraging Schlotterbeck’s progressive carries and interplay with Günter. Lienhart generally acts as a stabilizing force, providing safer but still incisive passes from deep, while Schlotterbeck ventures forward and links up with attacking players.
Attacking Strategy: Wide Overloads and Movement
Despite averaging just 48% possession (11th in the league), Freiburg have notched 25 goals in 14 matches, ranking among the Bundesliga’s top offenses. Their success stems from a combination of rapid transitions, creative use of wide areas, and intricate movement off the ball.
Key attacking features:
– The left flank is the primary avenue for creative play, responsible for 40% of their attacks. Here, Günter stays wide to deliver crosses, and Grifo drifts inside to orchestrate attacks with quick passing or incisive runs.
– Together, Günter and Grifo have created 72 chances, dwarfing the output from the right, where Kübler and Jeong have combined for just 12 chances.
– Höler and Jeong frequently rotate toward the left, offering target options for crosses and supporting link play. Eggestein’s forward runs create additional overloads, making the left side especially potent.
– Despite their reputation as a counter-attacking unit, Freiburg have developed patience in possession, executing composed passing sequences before suddenly accelerating into final-third actions.
Notably, Freiburg rank among the league’s lowest in dribbles per game, instead relying on quick combinations, movement off the ball, and coordinated runs to break defensive lines. Grifo and Schade are the primary dribblers, while others—like Höler—focus on winning fouls or pulling defenders out of position.
Freiburg’s attacking setup often creates the following scenarios:
– Grifo driving inside attracts defenders and opens the channel for Günter to overlap and cross.
– Multiple runners fill the box, including aerial threats like Höler, Lienhart, Hofler, and Schlotterbeck, creating chaos on cutbacks and deliveries.
Set-Piece Mastery: Aerial Prowess on Display
No team has relied more effectively on set pieces than Freiburg this season, leading the league in goals from such scenarios. The combination of precise deliveries, generally from Günter or Grifo, and an abundance of strong aerial targets has made them a formidable force during dead-ball situations.
Key elements of Freiburg’s set-piece routines:
– Targeting the six-yard box with whipped deliveries, giving strikers and defenders alike opportunities to score or capitalize on rebounds.
– Attackers begin runs from behind defenders—out of the opposition’s line of sight—timing their movements for maximum impact as the delivery arrives.
– Even if the initial attempt is repelled, the sheer number of Freiburg players attacking the box ensures second chances.
– Defensive attention focused on Höler often leaves others, such as Lienhart (who has netted four set-piece goals), free to convert opportunities.
The team has already scored 11 set-piece goals and two from the penalty spot, with their aerial dominance further highlighted by nine headed goals this season.
Defensive Fundamentals: Organized Press and Compactness
While Freiburg’s attacking play has grabbed headlines, their structural discipline in defense is arguably their greatest achievement. Having conceded just 13 goals in 14 matches (the best record in the Bundesliga for the period), Freiburg’s transformation at the back is marked compared to prior seasons.
Defensive principles:
– Freiburg often defend in a 5-2-3 or 5-2-1-2 press, with the front three leading the press to shepherd opponents toward the flanks.
– When transitioning to a 4-4-2, they maintain a strict, compact block, rarely deviating.
– Wing-backs and central midfielders are crucial to maintaining compactness, shifting laterally to prevent central progress by opponents, and forcing play wide where pressing traps can be sprung.
– Intense pressing from the likes of Jeong and Höler sets the tone. Grifo alternates with them, taking turns to press centrally and maintain structural balance.
– Höfler is a standout presser in midfield, directly regaining possession for his team in a significant share of his pressure attempts.
– Defenders such as Schlotterbeck are also aggressive in stepping out to contest and win the ball quickly, denying time and space to attackers.
While their high defensive line and overlapping wing-backs can leave space in the channels—particularly between the outside centre-back and wing-back—Freiburg’s organization allows them to recover effectively and limit high-quality chances.
Their discipline is further reflected in their disciplinary record, accumulating minimal bookings and no red cards during the period analyzed.
Conclusion: Freiburg’s Bright Bundesliga Journey
SC Freiburg’s 2021-22 season under Christian Streich has combined defensive solidarity, tactical innovation, and an unpredictable attacking edge. By maximizing a core group of dependable players and blending set-piece strength, intricate wide play, and relentless pressing, Freiburg have emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting teams.
Whether this momentum will ultimately lead to Champions League qualification remains to be seen, but their tactical evolution and collective spirit have already made Freiburg one of the stories of the season. As the campaign unfolds, all eyes will be on Streich’s side to see how far their energy, discipline, and creativity can take them.
