K.R.C. Genk vs. SC Freiburg Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

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·11 Maret 2026

K.R.C. Genk vs. SC Freiburg Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

SC Freiburg will hope to qualify for the quarter-final of a European competition for the first time as they face Genk in the Round of 16. The first leg will be played at the Cegeka Arena on Thursday before they host the Belgian side next week.

Michael Gregoritsch’s solitary strike helped Freiburg to a memorable victory against reigning Conference League winners West Ham in a similar stage a couple of years ago, but they lost the return leg 5-0 at the London Stadium.

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They were similarly knocked out by Juventus in the previous season before that. Freiburg went undefeated this term until Oliver Giroud’s injury-time penalty-kick ended the run away at LOSC Lille in the final game of the league phase.

Although Julian Schuster’s side are unbeaten in 16 games at home, they have only won twice away from home in the Bundesliga. Four of their five Europa League wins also came in front of their fans at Europa-Park Stadion.

With only two rounds left in the regular season, eighth-placed Genk are a point off from achieving their spot in the playoff round for the championship. As for their Europa League campaign, Nicky Hayen’s side knocked out Dinamo Zagreb after extra-time to book their place in the Round of 16.

Team News

Maximilian Eggestein will be absent from the traveling squad after his first-ever career red card in the defeat to Lille. Defenders Max Rosenfelder and Lukas Kübler are also out due to injuries.

Vincenzo Grifo will now look to be the outright Freiburg all-time top-scorer after tying Nils Petersen’s 105-goal haul in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Leverkusen.

Genk’s captain Bryan Heynen missed the weekend’s defeat to Union SG due to suspension, but he’ll be back for the European night, where he has been impressive in the two-legged win over Dinamo Zagreb.