Can Julian Schuster and Freiburg build on last season's campaign?
Freiburg reached new heights in 2025/26, but proving it wasn't a one-off may be an even tougher challenge. After a historic campaign under Julian Schuster, all eyes are now on whether the Breisgau club can take the next step.
Freiburg’s rampant 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on the final day of last season secured them a seventh-placed finish, and a third successive European campaign.
Coupled with runs to the DFB Cup semi-final and the UEFA Europa League final for the first time ever, it was a remarkable season under Schuster, who has proven the perfect successor to Christian Streich.
A tough act to follow, Freiburg’s former captain is now guiding the Badem-Württemberg outfit to unprecedented new heights.
Although Freiburg’s unforgettable European campaign ultimately ended in defeat, losing 3-0 to Aston Villa in Istanbul, it was one that players and fans can look back upon with great fondness, with hopes of repeating that feat in this season’s UEFA Conference League.
“The fans brought us here, and they were there for us in bad times,” said Vincenzo Grifo, who returned five goals and provided four assists in 15 European matches last season. “You play football for these moments.”
Furthermore, Freiburg’s Europa League run drew strong praise from Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany. “It's a small club that has built everything using its own resources. There's a philosophy, a vision,” he said. “Julian deserves great respect - but also the people around the club making the decisions with him.”
Whilst Freiburg’s extraordinary season ended trophyless, the building blocks for a successful 2026/27 are firmly in place with their defensive qualities a pillar for success.
The Black Forest club, heading into 2026/27 with Mio Backhaus as their new No.1, has established the Europa-Park Stadion as a home fortress.
Led by stalwart Matthias Ginter at the heart of defence, Freiburg only lost three of their 25 games on home turf lats season, and only conceded two or more goals on four occasions across all competitions, whilst winning each of their seven Europa League assignments on their own patch.
In midfield, workmanlike duo Maximilian Eggestein and Patrick Osterhage have been reinforced by the signings of Sint-Truiden’s Rihito Yamamoto and the returning Yannik Engelhardt.
Their work in shielding the backline allows those in the final third to flourish. Last season. that was most notably Johan Manzambi, who registered nine goals and as many assists in 58 appearances.
A revelation in 2025/26, the Switzerland international also shone at the FIFA World Cup 2026 before moving to Premier League side Aston Villa. But, despite losing their prized asset, you can bet Schuster and his staff already have a solution in mind.
Yuito Suzuki, who flourished in his maiden Bundesliga campaign, shone alongside senior figures Niklas Beste and Grifo.
The trio combined for 21 goals (13 goals and eight assists) in 2025/26 and are again expected to play a key role in Schuster’s attack, led by 23-year-old Igor Matanović who, after a slow start to the season, struck 11 goals and provided two assists in 31 Bundesliga outings.
That attack has been bolstered by the signing of Japan international striker Keisuke Gotō, who registered 10 goals and five assists in 28 Belgian Jupiler Pro League appearances on loan at Sint-Truiden from Anderlecht.
Although Freiburg’s pursuit of their first major trophy escaped them, Schuster has drawn up a blueprint for success.
Building upon an already solid defensive structure and clinical attack with a clear direct philosophy and vision, the Breisgau club have the key components in place for what they hope will be an even better 2026/27 campaign.
