Breisgau Brazilians and forbidden promotions | OneFootball

SC Freiburg opposition analysis ahead of of Europa League away trip on Thursday

The Matterhorn Blitz, Dancing Dingie and Flying Dutchman. No, these aren't nicknames SC Freiburg fans have given their footballing stars, but rather three attractions at Europa-Park, the theme park that was voted the best amusement park in the world by the US magazine Amusement Today in September – for a tenth time! This roller coaster paradise is not only just down the road from Freiburg – where we'll be playing next Thursday on Matchday 6 of the UEFA Europa League – but also lends its name to the Breisgau club's stadium, which only opened in 2021.

8 Austrians have played for Freiburg so far

Between forest, sunshine and studies

Germany's southernmost major city is home to around 30,000 students, among others, who can escape the stress of university life either in the Black Forest, a mountainous region with evergreen forests, or in the medieval city center. After all, Freiburg, one of the sunniest places in Germany, was voted the third most beautiful city in the world by the Australian travel guide Lonely Planet in 2021. The stadium is also a great attraction...

Following a coaching legend

The success of SC Freiburg is closely linked to two cult coaches. Initially, Volker Finke shaped the history of the club. Although President Achim Stocker had preached, "you mustn't get promoted!" due to the club's limited infrastructure and financial resources, Finke propelled his team into the top tier of German football in 1992/93. 20,000 fans flocked to Munich for their Bundesliga debut. "Only the trees stayed home in the Black Forest today," a reporter quipped at the time. Subsequently, the newly promoted team impressed with their carefree attitude, their short passing and quick transitions – and the term Breisgau Brazilians was born. In 2007, Finke – after 16 years in charge – finally handed over the reins to Robin Dutt

Christian Streich followed a short while later. The trained industrial clerk worked for SC Freiburg in various positions from 1995 to 2024 (!), becoming head coach in 2011. Under his leadership, the team from the Black Forest achieved immediate promotion back to the Bundesliga in 2015/16 and even reached the cup final in 2021/22. After 240 matches as Streich's assistant, his protégé, Julian Schuster, took over.

From the marketing department to the dugout

His career path is also remarkable: The now 40-year-old started as a district league player and was an intern in the marketing department of VfB Stuttgart. From there, he worked his way up to the Bundesliga as a player, somewhat unexpectedly, eventually making nearly 200 appearances. In his debut season as a coach, the team missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification by just two points, earning him the title of Germany's Coach of the Year. Freiburg finds itself in the top half of the table again this season.

Freiburg's secret sauce

The poster boys at the moment are: local hero Noah Atubolu, record appearance holder and club legend Christian Günter, rising star Johan Manzambi (the Matterhorn Lightning moniker isn't so far-fetched for the Swiss talent), and – from Salzburg's perspective – Junior Adamu, who has started every UEFA Europa League match so far in Schuster's 4-2-3-1 system. The nine-time international is  partly responsible for his team's continued unbeaten run in Europe which has seen them claim two home wins so far (2-1 against neighbours Basel and 2-0 over Utrecht) to take fourth place in the Europa League standings.

Support us from home: The match between SC Freiburg and our Red Bulls will be broadcast exclusively on Canal+ and on our free matchday radio.