Page 49 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

Freiburg
After an excellent fifth-place finish last season, Freiburg will certainly look to aim even higher this time around and possibly push for a top four spot if any of the leading contenders slip up at some point. Christian Streich’s team have undergone some personnel changes in all departments with players like Kevin Schade and goalkeeper Mark Flekken both leaving for Premier League side Brentford, but have brought in some replacements such as RB Salzburg’s Junior Adamu in attack and Stuttgart’s Florian Müller as another option between the posts. They’ve also still managed to keep Vincenzo Grifo, the team’s top goalscorer with 17 across all competitions, which comes as a huge boost as they attempt to compete on multiple fronts once again this season.
NICKNAME:
Breisgau-Brasilianer (Breisgau Brazilians)
MANAGER:
Christian Streich
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 5th
Freiburg are hoping to improve on their impressive fifth place finish last season
DID YOU
KNOW?
The Bundesliga’s first season began in August 1963 consisting of 16 teams. With Cologne, finishing six points clear of Meiderich back when only two points were awarded for a win. The Billy Goats lost just twice in their 30 games.
Heidenheim
They’re the newest new boys on the block. Heidenheim’s journey to the top-flight has been a long time coming, but led by their loyal manager, Frank Schmidt, the minnows are finally on the biggest stage. They secured their spot in the Bundesliga thanks to a 3-2 win over Jahn Regensburg to win the 2.Bundesliga championship and now will hope to emulate the likes of RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim, Augsburg, and Union Berlin in making a genuine impression - rather than suffering the fate that has befallen other newly promoted clubs. Fortunately, they have managed to keep most of their key players, including Tim Kleindienst, who not only was the 2.Bundesliga’s top marksman but also scored the goal that helped his team secure promotion.
NICKNAME:
1. Fußballclub Heidenheim 1846 e.V.
MANAGER:
Frank Schmidt
LAST YEAR FINISH:
2. Bundesliga, 1st
Heidenheim secured a last- minute promotion to the Bundesliga following a 3-2 win on the final matchday that helped them become champions of the 2.Bundesliga
DID YOU
KNOW?
All Bundesliga clubs must run their own academy under the goal of maintaining
a world-class flow
of young talent into the Bundesliga and national team, meaning a minimum of 12 players eligible for Germany must be in the squads between U16 and U19 level
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 49
5 WHO CAN THRIVE CON’T.
TIM KLEINDIENST - HEIDENHEIM
He might not be fully a household name just yet, but Tim Kleindienst certainly is a well- known name for Heidenheim. The 28-year-
old towering striker was the 2.Bundesliga’s
top goalscorer, with 25 goals, and more important, netted the game-winner against Jahn Regensburg on the final matchday to help Heidenheim secure a historic promotion. It will be interesting to see what impact the former Germany youth international is able to offer as he makes a personal return to the Bundesliga after several years playing in the lower tiers and abroad.
DANI OLMO - RB LEIPZIG
Leipzig have lost quite a few of their key players this summer, but Dani Olmo perhaps helped settle some worries among the team’s fans with his standout performance against Bayern Munich in the 2023 DFL Supercup. The Spanish international netted a hat-trick
to clinch a first ever title in that competition for die Roten Bullen and get some revenge
on Bayern for their 5-3 loss in the same competition back in 2022. However, more
will be expected of the young attacker if Leipzig want to be able to finally end Bayern’s stranglehold in the league title.
GRANIT XHAKA - BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Back in Germany after seven solid seasons with Arsenal, where he won a couple of FA Cup titles, experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka is expected to bring some steel and grit to Xabi Alonso’s team in the middle of the park. The Swiss international is no stranger to the Bundesliga, spending four seasons at Borussia Mönchengladbach before his move to Arsenal, so is expected to slot right in to the starting XI to help his team battle on multiple fronts this term.