Freiburg (dpa) – Coach Christian Streich from SC Freiburg once again demonstratively supported his goalkeeper Noah Atubolu after his mistake against West Ham United and before the difficult away game at FC Bayern Munich. “This is a normal process for a young goalkeeper,” said the 58-year-old about the U21 national goalkeeper’s fluctuating performances. In the Europa League group game against West Ham on Thursday, Atubolu’s mistake led to the final score being 1:2 (0:1). After a somewhat bumpy start to the season, the 21-year-old had recently appeared more stable again. The renewed mistake could now lead to a goalkeeping discussion around the Bundesliga club.
The Freiburg team, who promoted Atubolu from third division keeper to the new number one professional team in the summer, remain convinced of their decision. “We do this because we are Freiburg,” explained Streich, whose team will be visiting Bayern on Sunday (5:30 p.m./DAZN). The coach pointed out, among other things, that he was used to dealing with young players from his time as a youth coach at the sports club.
“Other established goalkeepers also make mistakes,” said Streich. “We talk to each other, train, watch videos. And then the development will come that he will become more and more stable. We assume that, that’s why we’re doing it.”
Midfielder Maximilian Eggestein also jumped to Atubolu’s side, the successor to Mark Flekken, who moved to FC Brentford in England. “Noah is strong enough, he can do it,” said the 26-year-old. “We don’t have to make it bigger than it is.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:231006-99-460596/2
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