1. Main Players Comparison
Freiburg:
- Departure: Ritsu Doan (10A, 7G, 2876 mins) – major creative loss.
- Attack: Grifo (11G, 8A), Höler (6G, 4A), Adamu (2G, 2A).
- Defense: Ginter & Lienhart experienced CBs, Günter & Kübler provide width.
- Goalkeeper: Noah Atubolu (age 23, 26 apps).
Augsburg:
- Squad intact, no key departures.
- Attack: Tietz (7G, 2A), Essende (7G, 2A), Claude-Maurice (9G, 2A).
- Midfield: Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbeçaj defensive stability.
- Defense: Gouweleeuw, Matsima, Giannoulis.
- Goalkeeper: Finn Dahmen (19 apps).
- More balanced squad overall.
2. New Players Comparison
Freiburg:
- Igor Matanovic (FW): 16 sub apps, 1G.
- Philipp Treu (MF): 33 apps, 2A.
- Anthony Jung (DF): 28 apps, experienced LB.
- Irié, Suzuki, Scherhant: untested youth.
- Verdict: Depth signings, but no direct Doan replacement.
Augsburg:
- Elias Saad (AM): 18 apps, 3G, 2A – key impact player.
- Matsima (CB): 28 apps, starter.
- Zesiger (CB): 15 apps, 2A.
- Massengo (CM): 17 apps, steady.
- Others: Fellhauer, Dong, Meiser – prospects.
- Verdict: Saad strengthens attack, Matsima/Zesiger bolster defense.
3. Substitutes Comparison
Freiburg:
- Eren Dinkçi: 3G.
- Merlin Röhl: 1G.
- Michael Gregoritsch: 2G, 1A.
- Höfler, Makengo: defensive depth.
- Departure: Sildillia reduces RB depth.
- Total impact: ~6G, 2A.
Augsburg:
- Keven Schlotterbeck: 3G, 1A from defense.
- Mert Kömür: 2G, 1A (19-year-old midfielder).
- Steve Mounié: 1G (backup striker).
- Arne Maier: versatile midfielder.
- Departure: Fredrik Jensen gone.
- Total impact: ~6G, 4A.
4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | Freiburg | Augsburg |
Main Players | ⭐⭐⭐ (lost Doan, rely on Grifo) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (intact core, multiple scorers) |
New Players | ⭐⭐ (depth only, no Doan replacement) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Saad impact, Matsima/Zesiger solid) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐ (Gregoritsch, Dinkçi limited) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Kömür, Schlotterbeck, Maier add depth) |
Attack | ⭐⭐⭐ (Grifo creative hub) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Tietz, Essende, Claude-Maurice, Saad) |
Midfield | ⭐⭐ (defensive-minded) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Massengo steady, Claude-Maurice scoring) |
Defense/GK | ⭐⭐⭐ (Ginter/Lienhart stable, Atubolu young) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Zesiger, Dahmen) |
Overall Depth | Moderate | Stronger balance across lines |
Key Weakness | Creativity gap after Doan | Few pure assist providers |
5. Predicted Outcome
Tactical Outlook:
- Freiburg: Grifo is the creative and scoring focal point. Depth signings not yet at Doan’s level. Bench thinner after Sildillia’s departure.
- Augsburg: Balanced squad, with new recruits adding goals (Saad) and defensive depth (Matsima, Zesiger).
Expected Scoreline:
- Freiburg 1 – 2 Augsburg (Augsburg’s balance gives them the edge).
