Suzuki ends slump as Freiburg beat Union Berlin 2-0

Yuito Suzuki scored in the 67th minute as SC Freiburg beat Union Berlin 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday, ending a run of poor form, according to Get German Football News. It was his fifth league goal of the season. Freiburg's opener in the 55th minute was initially credited to Suzuki but was later ruled an own goal by Rani Khedira after Jan-Niklas Beste's ball was turned in.

Freiburg coach Julian Schuster said the coaching staff held "more than a few conversations" with Suzuki, including talks with assistant coaches, to help him through the dip. He said Suzuki's early-season success and national-team duty had brought challenges, and that during difficult spells players should focus on "the basics that can help deliver a good performance" rather than goals or assists.

Schuster said Suzuki's specific instruction against Union was to work against the ball, raise his intensity and use his vision on the ball. According to the report, Suzuki covered 10.53 kilometres, registered 25 sprints and had 44 touches.

Sporting director Klemens Hartenbach had said in a November 3 Kicker report, cited by the outlet, that Suzuki was overthinking and needed to return to his high-volume running and defensive commitment. The report said Suzuki had averaged a Kicker rating of 4.7 across five competitive matches during his slump.