Boss braced for Freiburg challenge

Graham Potter is expecting a stern test against SC Freiburg as Swansea City play their final warm-up game ahead of the new Championship season.

The second-tier opener at Sheffield United is now just eight days away.

And Potter reckons Freiburg, who finished 15th in the Bundesliga last season, will provide his team with an ideal examination as they build towards Bramall Lane.

The Swans take on the German side at Stadium Imst in Austria this afternoon (4pm UK time).

“Freiburg will be another good test for us,” said Swans manager Potter.

“Like Eibar, they are a team who know how they are trying to play and who have strong defensive organisation.

“It will be a good test, but that is what we need at this stage.

“The start of the season is not far away now so we need to be playing against good opposition who will challenge us.”

The Swans have been on the Continent since last Friday, and Potter feels his squad are making progress both on and off the field.

“The group are developing an understanding of what we are trying to do,” he added.

“The reaction of the boys to what we are trying to do has been good so it’s been really a positive week for us.”

Potter has given numerous players an opportunity to impress in pre-season.

And even though Freiburg is the final dress rehearsal before competitive football begins, he says the side which begins this afternoon will not necessarily be the same as the XI which takes the field in Sheffield.

“It doesn’t have to be because we have another week of training,” Potter added.

“We still have valuable time in training in front of us.

“Clearly the players need game-time, but we have got time when we get back to prepare for Sheffield United, to keep working and to get better.

“We will use every moment we can to assess the team and get the right team to play in that opening game of the season.”