Freiburg’s offensive artist Vincenzo Grifo once again has the most goals and assists on his scorer’s account. But overall, the load in the attacking game is spread wide. Three important pillars of last season are also feeling the effects.
When Vincenzo Grifo steps on the ball, it becomes dangerous for the opponents. The SC Freiburg offensive player collected four goals and nine assists in the 17 games of the past first half of the Bundesliga season. The German-Italian is indispensable for coach Christian Streich. Only once did Grifo come into the game from the bench, in the 0:0 on matchday 5 in Mainz. The 28-year-old outdid himself with his performances: In the pre-season, Grifo had eleven goal contributions after 17 games (seven goals, four assists).
This is a great responsibility for “Vince”, as he is called in Breisgau. The three attackers who were behind the experienced dribbler in the scoring list last season are currently on the sidelines. Striker Ermedin Demirovic, for example, who already recorded two goals and six assists last winter and had fought for his place as a regular striker. He only made two starting appearances recently – and was even sent off at the interval in the 1:2 defeat against Hoffenheim.
It has been similarly difficult for winger Roland Sallai, who had five goals and four assists a year ago. He was hampered by a knee injury and now has only one goal and one assist in five games from the start. Noble joker Nils Petersen also suffered from a knee injury. Seven goals and one assist at the same time last year are now offset by a meagre goal – scored, of course, in the 2-1 win against Hertha BSC, one of his seven appearances as a substitute.
In total, Freiburg have scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga after 17 games, compared to 31 last year. Striker Lucas Höler, for example, now takes responsibility in front of goal. He scored four times himself and set up three goals. Or left-back Christian Günter, who contributed five assists. He was only similarly good in the 2019/20 season, when Günter also provided five assists after 17 games. Striking: In the previous year, seven players had three or fewer scorer points after the first half of the season. Now there are eleven professionals. The Freiburg motto “The star is the team” also applies to the attackers. Apart from Grifo, at least.
