Freiburg are having a tremendous season on all fronts and head to Turin on Thursday night for arguably their biggest match in club history.
The Breisgau-Brasilianer are on a five-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and confidence is high. Can they defeat Juventus in the Europa League last-16 first leg? Juventus have had some ups and downs this campaign but can still land a trophy this season.
The Bianconeri are on a decent run of form and are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions. However, Juventus are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Roma at the weekend.
While Juventus lost to Roma, Freiburg drew nil-nil away to Borussia Monchengladbach. The Breisgau-Brasilianer may have been looking ahead to the Europa Conference first leg against Juventus. It was their second straight draw.
Freiburg are still in the Bundesliga title race but their draw with Gladbach saw them fall seven points behind Bayern Munich. The Breisgau-Brasilianer have played 17 times on the road this season, posting a record of 8W-5D-4L and a goal difference of +2.
Juventus play well at home in Turin. The team played 19 times at the Allianz Arena, achieving a record of 12W-4D-3L. The Bianconeri scored 38 goals and conceded 17 goals in the 19 home matches.
Max Allegri will be without Mattia De Sciglio following a muscle strain. Forward Arkadiusz Milik has a muscle injury and may sit out of the match. Forward Kaio Jorge has a tendon issue and is a major doubt to play.
Freiburg coach Christian Streich has two player worries going into the match. Forward Michael Gregoritsch is unlikely to play following an illness. Midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is ruled out with an ACL injury.
The Breisgau-Brasilianer are led in goals by midfielder Vincenzo Grifo. The Italian has 14 goals in all competitions along with six assists. Gregoritsch will be a big miss if he cannot play as he is second in goals with 12.
Juventus’s leading scorer Dusan Vlahovic (10 goals in all competitions) should lead the line against Freiburg. Forward Filip Kostic has nine assists in all competitions, the most of any Juve player. He will be familiar with Freiburg after playing for Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Juventus last summer.
The first leg could be cagey with neither side trying to make many mistakes. In the end, it could finish in a 2-2 draw, with Freiburg taking the game to Juventus in Turin.