Pressure Mounts on Freiburg Veterans Günter and Grifo as Young Players Push Forward

Derry Scherhant and Jordy Makengo are putting pressure on two of Freiburg’s established names, Vincenzo Grifo and Christian Günter. The younger players have made strong starts to the season, weakening the veterans’ hold on regular starting places.

Scherhant, a 23-year-old attacking player who joined Freiburg from Hertha BSC in summer 2025, has struggled to secure a first-team role. Grifo, Freiburg’s 33-year-old record scorer, long occupied the club’s preferred position on the left wing. That hierarchy now appears to be changing.

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I have already worked physically during preseason with two personal trainers, partly to handle the intensity and partly because I wanted to improve some areas of my game.

Scherhant said he worked with two personal trainers during preseason to improve his ability to handle the intensity of matches and develop parts of his game. He focused especially on crosses and set pieces, which he called part of Freiburg’s “DNA.” He added that he would not relax after his good start.

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Yes, it will not get easier. That motivates me to give more and do even more.

The signs have been clear. Scherhant came on for Grifo late in Freiburg’s 5-1 German Cup win at Fortuna Düsseldorf, then played the full Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen, where Grifo stayed on the bench. Scherhant also started both matches against Motherwell and scored in the second leg as Freiburg qualified for the Conference League league phase.

Makengo faces a similar challenge in defense. The 25-year-old left-back has competed with Günter, who is also 33, and has started three of Freiburg’s first four competitive matches. Günter said the competition spurred him to work harder, while coach Julian Schuster welcomed the arrangement, saying the players push one another and must fight for their opportunity. Grifo still scored 14 competitive goals last season and became the club’s record scorer, but a guaranteed place is no longer assured.

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This constellation also drives them to push each other again.