SC Freiburg begin the 2026/27 season with a clear question hanging over them: how do you replace Johan Manzambi? SC Freiburg finished 7th in 2025/26 and reached the UEFA Europa League final in the same campaign, but Manzambi's move to Aston Villa leaves a midfield hole that Julian Schuster now has to solve.

Schuster's midfield problem

Schuster put the issue plainly: "How do you replace Manzambi?" That is the summer's central job. Freiburg were good enough last season to finish 7th, but they are now trying to keep that level after losing one of the players who helped carry them there.

Vincenzo Grifo's role only adds another layer. He has started just one of Freiburg's three competitive games this term, which suggests Schuster is already managing the balance of the side rather than simply repeating last season's shape.

Matthias Ginter remains part of the core, but the move that changes the structure is Manzambi's departure. Freiburg can point to last season's 7th-place finish and their run to the UEFA Europa League final, yet the midfield is where the new campaign will be judged.

Backhaus and the other early signs

Not every part of the summer points to disruption. Mio Backhaus is Freiburg's key new signing to replace the outgoing goalkeeper situation, and Schuster was direct about him: "In Backhaus, they have acquired a more-than-worthy replacement who has brought the necessary calm and security as the last line of defence."

Backhaus arrives with proper senior experience. He made 32 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen last season and kept five clean sheets in those games. Freiburg also won three of their four warm-up matches, beat Fortuna Düsseldorf 5-1 in the first round of the DFB Cup, and won both legs against Motherwell to prevail 7-2 on aggregate in the Conference League play-off tie.

That is enough to suggest Freiburg are not starting from scratch. The stronger point is simpler: they have already sorted one problem at the back, but the harder job is keeping the midfield functioning without Manzambi.

The opening league matches will tell Schuster a lot, especially if Grifo stays in a reduced role and the midfield rotation keeps shifting. Freiburg have shown they can compete on two fronts, but the next phase of the season starts with filling the gap left by Manzambi.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →