Genk vs Freiburg – News and Probable Lineups

On Thursday, Freiburg’s aspiration in the Europa League continues as they face Genk, who will host the first leg of their round of 16 match at Cegeka Arena.

Freiburg secured a spot in the knockout phase after finishing seventh in the league stage, while Genk had to navigate a playoff tie against Dinamo Zagreb after ending in ninth.

Match overview

The home team triumphed with an aggregate score of 6-4 against Zagreb, having won the first leg 3-1 on February 19. The second leg required extra time, where they managed to score twice to end the match in a 3-3 draw on February 26.

Genk concluded the league phase with a total of 16 points, just one less than their opponents for Thursday’s fixture. They enter the first leg having netted at least two goals in four straight European encounters.

However, defensively they have shown vulnerabilities, conceding 10 goals in their last seven Europa League matches, and eight in their past four overall.

Head coach Nicky Hayen experienced three defeats within 90 minutes during those four games, despite his side claiming victory in six of their previous seven matches.

Blue-White have performed remarkably well away in Europe, winning five of their six outings in the tournament this season and losing only once.

Freiburg completed the league phase with a tally of 10 goals, the weakest attacking record among the top 13 teams, yet their remarkable defensive performance saw them concede only four goals, making them the second-best defensive unit in the competition.

The Breisgau-Brasilianer currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga after their 3-3 draw against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, a match where they relinquished a lead twice.

This draw marked the third occasion within four matches that they have failed to secure a win, and notably, in three of those encounters, they conceded two or more goals, with the visitors losing two of those matches.

Julian Schuster’s squad has faced difficulties on the road, suffering five losses, a draw, and only one victory in their last seven away games.

It’s worth mentioning that the German team has not scored within 90 minutes during their last five away fixtures, which is an unfavorable sign ahead of their visit to Cegeka Arena.

Team News

Genk’s forwards Robin Mirisola and Daan Heymans participated in the previous European match, with Heymans contributing a goal. Both are anticipated to feature again.

Midfielders Nikolas Sattlberger and Konstantinos Karetsas are expected to be included ahead of a four-man defense led by central defenders Mujaid Sadick and Matte Smets.

For Freiburg, there are two injury concerns as they approach the clash with Genk, with defenders Max Rosenfelder and Lukas Kubler likely to be unavailable, while midfielder Maximilian Eggestein is suspended following a red card.

Matthias Ginter and Bruno Ogbus are expected to fill in as center-backs, while Philipp Treu and Christian Gunter will likely start as full-backs.

Patrick Osterhage is a contender to replace Eggestein in the starting XI and may partner Johan Manzambi in a double pivot.

Key forward Vincenzo Grifo will assuredly start on the left wing, where he will be expected to support striker Igor Matanovic.

Genk probable starting XI:

Lawal; El Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Ditu; Sor, Sattleberger, Karetsas, Ito; Heymans, Mirisola

Freiburg probable starting XI:

Atubolu; Treu, Ginter, Ogbus, Gunter; Osterhage, Sins; Best, Suzuki, Faucet; Matanovic