Football Season Guide

SC Freiburg emerged as a serious contender for a Champions League qualification spot last time around and though they missed out on the final day of the season, an excellent overall campaign saw them secure their highest finish in the Bundesliga in nearly two decades. With the club securing qualification to the Europa League for the first time since 2001-02 season, Freiburg coach Christian Streich will be aware that it could be a difficult season for his side as they have to bear the added load of their European campaign. A large squad is necessary for Freiburg to compete effectively both in Europe and in their domestic campaign and while Streich has been busy in the transfer market, he has had to deal with a number of key departures as well. Jan Rosenthal signed on for Eintracht Frankfurt while Cedric Makiadi was sold to Werder Bremen. Borussia Monchengladbach snapped up Max Kruse while Daniel Caligiuri left the club to join Wolfsburg. Arsenal's Francis Coquelin has been signed on a season-long loan from Arsenal while Mike Hanke completed a move from Gladbach and is expected to lead the attack, replacing Kruse. Gelson Frenandes will take over from Makiadi in the midfield while Felix Klaus is expected to provide competition to Jonathan Schmid on the flanks. Admir Mehmedi has also joined the club on a season long loan from Dynamo Kyiv to provide competition for Hanke up front.