SC Paderborn 07 vs SC Freiburg

SC Paderborn 07 host SC Freiburg in Bundesliga Matchday 2 on Saturday, 5 September 2026. The promoted hosts opened their top-flight campaign with a goalless draw at Mainz 05, while Freiburg arrive buoyed by a dominant UEFA Conference League qualification win over Motherwell.

Team News and Injury Latest

Paderborn head coach Ralf Kettemann faces a defensive injury crisis that will force a reshuffled backline. A club source notes the defence is "in the midst of an injury crisis," and the back four that started on Matchday 1 is likely to change significantly as the season unfolds. Attacking midfielder Batista Meier could be promoted to the starting lineup to add top-level experience as the newcomers search for their first Bundesliga win.

Freiburg, by contrast, report a near-clean bill of health for key figures. Centre-back Max Rosenfelder has completed pre-season without missing a training session after a career interrupted by patellar-tendon and hamstring problems, giving him a rare run of full fitness. Fellow defender Yilmaz has returned from a Nürnberg loan looking capable of competing at left-back, while midfielder Yannik Engelhardt has been building important chemistry alongside Maximilian Eggestein. The squad rotation that worked so well in the 4-1 Conference League win over Motherwell – where seven starters were changed and Freiburg still collected 4.07 expected goals – leaves Julian Schuster with multiple selection options.

Paderborn’s Form and Shape

The goalless stalemate at Mainz showed Kettemann’s side can be organised, but the lack of a cutting edge against a mid-table opponent underlined the challenge of life in the top division. Paderborn’s pre-season was spent trialling formations and lineups, and Kettemann is yet to settle on a preferred structure. A more defensive setup could be used against Freiburg, although the head coach has been keen for his team to “come out swinging” to demonstrate intent early in the campaign.

Freiburg’s European Momentum

Julian Schuster’s team have already banked two competitive victories, easing past Motherwell 7-2 on aggregate to reach the Conference League group stage. The tactical previews from the off-season place Freiburg as high as sixth in predicted Bundesliga finishes, highlighting the depth that allows Schuster to replace entire units without a drop in performance. Winger Bruno Irié has been turning his physical gifts into more consistent output, and striker Igor Matanović has expressed a desire to give the travelling support something to cheer after the Motherwell tie, telling reporters “we really wanted to give them something back.”

Key Battle: Rosenfelder’s Stability vs Paderborn’s Forwards

Rosenfelder’s availability transforms Freiburg’s defensive ceiling. Clocked at 35.91 km/h, he recovers ground with elite speed and is comfortable building play from deep. Paderborn’s attack – likely featuring Batista Meier in a central role – will need to break down a centre-back in full rhythm, something few second-tier defences tested in 2025/26. If Rosenfelder and his partner can handle Paderborn’s direct play, Freiburg can set a platform for their wide creators to overload a reshuffled home defence.

A first Bundesliga home win of the season would give Paderborn a genuine lift ahead of a testing run, while Freiburg will aim to carry their European form into domestic competition before their Conference League league phase begins later in September.