SC Freiburg II starts its second third-division football season against Erzgebirge Aue on Sunday – and complains about a long list of injuries.
Thomas Stamm was already in demand in the previous season not only in his original form as coach of SC Freiburg II in the third football league – he also knew how to convince as an improvisation artist. The 39-year-old was forced to reshuffle his squad week in and week out, fielding 42 players by the end of the season. Before the season opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Dreisamstadion against second division FC Erzgebirge Aue, the Swiss player is now challenged again after twelve departures and just as many arrivals.
In addition to the long-term injured players Yannik Engelhardt (training after ankle surgery) and Andre Barbosa (shoulder problems), Max Rosenfelder, Kenneth Schmidt, Sandrino Braun-Schumacher, Mika Baur, Maximilian Breunig and Felix Allgaier are also absent. “I have a good feeling that the situation will soon stabilize. However, it’s obviously not ideal for us to start with,” said Stamm.
Due to the lack of personnel, a player without a contract also played
Especially in the defensive network, the staff cover is thin. The contractless ex-Freiburg player Patrick Kammerbauer was used in some friendlies recently. “He keeps fit with us. The situation hasn’t changed,” said Stamm. Kammerbauer had not received a new contract in Breisgau after the previous season. The central defense sets itself up with two remaining central defenders. “New signing Andi Hoti and Jordy Magengo are fit for action,” says Stamm, who, as with numerous bottlenecks in the previous season, does not want to complain: “The pool of players that we can access is very large. There are always ones who are absent Chance for young players from the second row.” A noble attitude from the Swiss, who is probably facing another demanding season.
In Erzgebirge Aue, a real indicator comes right at the start in the Dreisam Stadium. The iconic Freiburg homestead should remain a fortress this season as well. “We laid the foundation for staying up in the league at home last round, and we want to repeat that,” said Stamm. On Sunday, his eleven will meet an opponent who has also made numerous changes in the squad. “At Aue, 15.16 new players have also been added. Of course, they have the quality for the top third,” predicts the SC-II coach.
So the starting position seems similar to last season. Again, a tour de force is required to be represented in the coming third division season. “After six to eight games we will be able to see a first trend,” suspects Stamm, who wants to set an example with his team at the start. The opponent is just right. Because it’s definitely easier to play against one of the favorites for promotion at the beginning of the season and without the great pressure than against a direct rival.
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