Freiburg (dpa/lsw) – SC Freiburg is going into the game against 1. FSV Mainz 05 with positive feelings. After the Bundesliga soccer club was able to settle a legal dispute with residents about the new Europa-Park stadium out of court, the people of Breisgau are also happy about the return of the fans. According to the state’s new Corona regulation, 10,000 spectators are allowed against the FSV on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky). The tickets sold out quickly. “Fortunately there are finally more than 500 or 750 again,” said SC coach Christian Streich.
Most recently at the game against 1. FC Köln “there was a good atmosphere in the stadium, even though it was only a fifth full”. There were also 10,000 spectators when Freiburg lost 1-0 and they “helped the home team a little”, said the 56-year-old. At home he is now hoping for a similar effect for his team. “That will motivate us because the people are fully behind us. And I hope that they will be happy to sing and support us verbally.” With a win, Freiburg would underline its European ambitions.
The legal dispute, which has now ended, was about a complaint by residents because of alleged noise pollution. Therefore, after the move to the new arena, the sports club was still forbidden to play there on Friday evenings or Sundays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This problem is now solved after the comparison.
There is another corona case in the professional squad: Keven Schlotterbeck has tested positive and is in quarantine. The central defender, who usually stands in the second row, is doing well, explained Streich, whose team can otherwise compete with the best players.
The fact that Mainz lost five away games in a row could also give his players optimism. “They were able to unleash a different force at home in the last few weeks,” explained Streich. He sees the fact that FSV have not been able to gain self-confidence in foreign stadiums for a long time as a small advantage for his team. “That must be the incentive for us that we manage to develop a dominance in the game. We can do that if we are strong in tackles and present.”
The Freiburgers managed that in the goalless first leg, even if the playful elements suffered a bit and there were few scoring chances on either side. That could be the case again in the second leg, Streich speculated. Because both teams would defend well, Mainz with a lot of “dynamics, physicality and aggressiveness”. The sports club also wants to contribute, but now also hopes for the “twelfth man” – after all, almost a third of the Europa-Park stadium will be filled. After all.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220210-99-64603/3
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