Matarazzo: ''We have to follow up with actions''
Pellegrino Matarazzo on…
…SC Freiburg: ''Freiburg are very well-drilled and are one of the most complete sides in the Bundesliga. They are able to find solutions in every phase of play. They can play possession-based football, but are also capable of causing danger with long balls up the park. They can press high, but are also comfortable sitting deep. That's before we mention their strength from set-pieces. We will have to be switched on at all moments of the game and force our way into the opposition half.''
...SC's match in Turin on Thursday: ''Freiburg had difficulties creating chances against Juve. I imagine they will make changes to their starting line-up, but we'll still take lessons from this match. The fact that Freiburg played on Thursday doesn't change things for us in a positive or negative sense. Christian Streich even mentioned how important the game against us is for them.''
…his team's goal threat: ''We have to look to get more shots in and be more precise in situations where we have an overload. We have to do a better job at hitting the right spots when we do have a chance to shoot. I think we've been struggling to create big chances, even in situations where we've had the opportunity to do so.''
…defending set-pieces: ''We are well aware of this issue. We've been working even harder at defensive set-pieces.''
…the relegation battle: ''It's up to us to pick up points. We have our destiny in our own hands. Our goal now against Freiburg is to deliver a performance which will put us in a position to pick up three points. It's about performing out on the pitch. The team have had two meetings this week to discuss the situation. Now we have to follow up with actions.''
…his feelings about the current situation: ''I am active and confident. We are on the right track, even though we haven't scored in our last three games. I have seen a stabilisation, especially in the defence. We didn't concede a goal from open play in those games. We are working with substance and purpose. I approach every game to go out and win it."
The personnel situation:
Jacob Bruun Larsen, Grischa Prömel and Justin Che are still unavailable. Kasper Dolberg suffered a concussion after a bump in training and will not be available in Freiburg, while Stanley Nsoki is also out with a hip problem. Christoph Baumgartner is suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season. Sebastian Rudy's participation is in doubt due to a thigh problem.
Head-to-head record:
History narrowly favours Freiburg. SC have won eight of the previous meetings between the two sides, while TSG have claimed six wins. There have been 11 draws in total, most recently in the goalless return fixture in Sinsheim.
The opposition's form:
Freiburg have picked up eight points from their last four league matches, and most recently suffered a 1-0 loss away to Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday. Their two most recent Bundesliga fixtures ended in draws: 1-1 against Leverkusen and 0-0 against Mönchengladbach.