SC Paderborn 07 vs SC Freiburg preview - Breitenreiter admires Freiburg

Paderborn face a club they could aspire to be like this weekend when Freiburg pay a visit to east Westphalia.

That is at least the view of their coach Andre Breitenreiter, who feels that Freiburg are an inspiration for how clubs from small cities can still be successful in the Bundesliga.

"They can be role models for us," he said. "They are still a few steps ahead of us in terms of their structure and team."

Paderborn are looking to establish their own future in the top flight of German football after earning their place there for the first time this season.

They currently find themselves four points ahead of their guests and Breitenreiter says only avoiding defeat is the aim.

"We don't have to win," he said. "Above all, we mustn't lose.

"We've got to work hard for every point. If we don't still 100 per cent to the plan, then we have no chance."

Exactly what that plan is will not be known until just before kick-off since Mario Vrancic and goalkeeper Lukas Kruse are both doubts.

Freiburg are without Stefan Mitrovic, who has been suspended for two matches, while Maximilian Philipp also misses out for Christian Streich's men.

Marc-Oliver Kempf could be an alternative, though, having appeared twice for the reserve team on his return from injury recently and having "played a decent game against Saarbrucken," according to Streich.

The Freiburg coach is also impressed with what he has seen from Paderborn so far this season, saying they have "got the lot".

"We're certainly going to face a highly disciplined and realistic Paderborn team, but they'll find the same from Freiburg," he said.

"They are a team who will do everything to stay in the Bundesliga."