Football Season Guide

Freiburg had some problems last season but a sensational turnaround in the second half of the campaign ensured they finished well above the relegation spots. They seem like the sort of club who could easily be affected by second season syndrome though and simply surviving again is likely to be welcomed. On the plus side the squad has lost only Barth and Lumb who were of real value to the first eleven but additions have been limited and there is a danger things could well become stale. Hedenstad, signed from mediocre Norwegians Stabaek, is unlikely to get the pulse of the fans racing though Kruse is on paper a logical signing who will look to show he is capable of playing at this level. Terrazzino is more of a gamble but definitely has talent while little is known about loan winger Ezequiel who arrived from Spain. Baumann is an excellent 'keeper in the existing squad while the defence, containing Mujdza, Krmas and Ferati looks solid enough. Scoring goals is likely to be the make or break issue with Dembele, Freis and Rosenthal among a number of attacking players who seem average rather than great. Having various options does mean the team isn't reliant on one star as previously though but this will still be the deciding factor in whether the team survives or not this year.