Freiburg (dpa / lsw) – It is a close duel on SC Freiburg’s offensive: Christian Streich offers newcomer Michael Gregoritsch as the only striker or Nils Petersen is given preference at the Bundesliga opener on Saturday at FC Augsburg (3.30 p.m. / Sky). ?
In the DFB Cup, when the Sport-Club advanced to the next round at 1. FC Kaiserslautern with a 2-1 win after extra time, the coach opted for Gregoritsch. In contrast to the substitute Petersen, the Austrian remained without a goal contribution. “When he was outside, the game worked out. That suited Nils, but he also did it well,” said Streich on Thursday. Petersen prepared the interim equalizer from Roland Sallai, who is now just as much a candidate for the starting line-up as the experienced assist provider.
Not only the good performance after their substitution on the Betzenberg speaks for both. Petersen has also scored seven times against Augsburg. No other player scored more often in direct duels between the two teams. Among other things, the 33-year-old scored a headed goal in Freiburg’s only Bundesliga win to date in Augsburg last February (2-1). The cross came from Sallai. “The question is how best to help us,” said Streich. “If you can substitute Nils at such temperatures, the opponent is not necessarily happy – but maybe we are.”
Gregoritsch scored for FCA in the SC victory, and after moving to Freiburg he meets his ex-club in the first league game. Apparently he still needs some time to get used to the sports club and, according to Streich, still has to learn not to “leave any unnecessary grains behind” when starting up. The fact that he knows many of the opponents well should help Gregoritsch to be in the starting XI. On the other hand, this also applies to the Augsburgers: They know what they have to expect from the Austrians.
Ermedin Demirovic went to FCA in exchange for Gregoritsch. Here, too, there is a quick reunion. The two strikers are not comparable. The taller Gregoritsch is strong in the air, Demirovic has his advantages more in the physique that he can bring to the offensive game.
In this respect, Freiburg are currently missing a few aspects in the front area, which are not related to the Bosnian’s departure, but mainly to Lucas Höler’s failure (metatarsal fracture). However, the sports club will have to do without his good duel behavior, his willingness to run and his ball claims for a few more weeks. And so Streich first has to decide whether Gregoritsch or Petersen is the better choice to start with.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220804-99-274962/2
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