The Freiburg way: The art of football authenticity | OneFootball

In an era where the same few giants monopolise trophies and headlines, SC Freiburg remains a footballing anomaly, and that is meant in the most complimentary sense. As the sport hurtles further into commercialisation, Freiburg stand firm, grounded, unflashy, yet endlessly compelling.

We all love an underdog story. But as that gap between Europe's elite and the rest grows ever wider, clubs like Freiburg are becoming increasingly rare. Their rise is not fuelled by billion-euro budgets or global fanfare, but something far more enduring.

Yet in 2025, can the term ‘underdog’ or ‘Außenseiter’ (meaning outsider more literally) still be applied to Freiburg?

A New Chapter, Same Identity

After Christian Streich’s emotional farewell last year, I often found myself wondering what might follow. Freiburg without Streich? It once seemed unthinkable. And yet, in Julian Schuster, a club stalwart with over 200 appearances, Freiburg appear to have found the ideal successor.

Now sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, Schuster’s Freiburg continues along the path laid by Streich. But to truly understand where the club is heading, it is important to first understand what it represents.

A City and a Club in Harmony

Tucked into the southernmost corner of Germany, close to the Swiss and French borders, Freiburg is known for its eco-conscious lifestyle, its Black Forest scenery and its relaxed rhythm. It is a place that feels at odds with the intense fan culture that we associate with the Bundesliga.

But make no mistake, this is very much a footballing city.

Thousands of fans cycle to the Europa-Park Stadion every other weekend, a reflection of a community that supports a club not for glamour, but because it mirrors their values. The matchday anthem, with its nods to Schwarzwälder Bier and Badische Wein, reminds us that this is a place proud of its roots and traditions.

A Personal Introduction

My first experience of Freiburg came in April last year, as the club celebrated its 120th anniversary with a match against Mainz. After purchasing a scarf and shirt to mark the occasion, I discovered, rather awkwardly, that my resale ticket placed me among the travelling Mainz supporters.

A swift scramble to hide the colours and some negotiating with match stewards got us through the gates. The match ended 1-1 on a dreary April day, and while memorable, it was not until my second visit that Freiburg truly revealed its magic.

Travelling down from Stuttgart on a disrupted Deutsche Bahn route, I arrived just in time for the opening match of the season, a blazing August afternoon against local rivals Stuttgart. Freiburg won 3-1 in front of a raucous home crowd, and the sense of purpose, unity and pride was palpable.

The Power of Low Expectations

For outsiders, all of this may seem somewhat removed from conversations about performance or ambition. But therein lies the beauty of Freiburg; expectations are not framed by results.

Supporters do not demand silverware. They celebrate continuity, identity and connection. Under Streich, the club was relegated twice, and not once did cries for his dismissal emerge. Instead, they placed trust in a long-term vision that prioritised community, player development and local roots.

Schuster has inherited that trust. He is not expected to transform; he is expected to preserve.

Pragmatism with Purpose

So what does the Freiburg identity look like in 2025?

It is pragmatic and progressive. Freiburg do not dominate possession, but they do dominate space. Schuster’s side remains defensively compact, while using their wide players, Vincenzo Grifo and Ritsu Dōan, to exploit transitions. The emergence of players such as Merlin Röhl and, more recently, Johan Manzambi has further diversified their threat.

And tactically, they are shrewd. Freiburg post the highest PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) in the league, typically an indicator of a passive press. Yet watching them tells a different story.

Their approach is not about chasing the ball. It is about cutting off angles, isolating threats and applying pressure with purpose. After a recent defeat to Freiburg, St. Pauli’s Eric Smith commented, “I felt like I was quite isolated for the whole game.” That is no accident. Freiburg’s structure creates discomfort without chaos.

Looking Ahead

So, where do Freiburg go from here?

In truth, that question matters more to outsiders than to those within the city itself. For the people of Freiburg, this journey is not about climbing a ladder of prestige. It is about sustaining a model of football that increasingly feels like a relic of the past.

European qualification is not an end goal, but a fortunate byproduct. The real reward lies in Saturday afternoons at the Europa-Park Stadion, in the seamless line between academy and first team, and in knowing that their club continues to reflect who they are.

That does not mean ambition is absent. With Schuster at the helm, and a blend of emerging talent and experienced leaders such as Grifo and Matthias Ginter, Freiburg possess the foundations to grow. Their recruitment is deliberate, their coaching philosophy holistic, and their belief in development over quick fixes remains unshaken.

The challenge, then, is not whether they can achieve more, but whether they can do so without losing what makes them special.

A Different Kind of Triumph

If there is one club in Europe capable of walking that tightrope, it is Freiburg. They have always done things their way, quietly, thoughtfully, and on their own terms.

Whether you view them as underdogs, outsiders or simply as Freiburgers, one truth remains: there are more important things up for grabs than points or prizes. They are playing for authenticity.

And in a sport so often obsessed with size and spending, Freiburg’s greatest triumph may simply be proving that different can still mean better.