Participation in the European Cup is certain for SC Freiburg before the 34th Bundesliga matchday. Even the leap into the Champions League is still possible for the sports club. Central defender Philipp Lienhart is one of the top performers in coach Christian Streich’s ensemble. Before the last game against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (3:30 p.m., watch live with Sky Ticket [Anzeige]) the 25-year-old speaks in conversation with the SPORTBUZZER, the sports portal of the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), about the past season, the DFB Cup final against RB Leipzig on May 18 and his past at Real Madrid.
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SPORTBUZZER: Mr. Lienhart, at least the Europa League and maybe even the DFB Cup victory – how do you sum up the season two games before the end?
Philipp Lienhart (25): Already very positive. We go into every season with the aim of staying up. We clearly surpassed that this season. The fact that we will soon be playing internationally again is extremely nice for all of us. And the cup final is something very special at the end.
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They recently suffered a setback with the 4-1 defeat by Union Berlin. How much did this result set you back?
It was already very disappointing. But we just weren’t good enough – especially on defence. My performance was bad that day too. We lost the decisive duels, we didn’t have enough grip and we weren’t paying attention. It hurt, but we’re looking ahead again and want to show our different faces in Leverkusen.
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Is it an advantage that Bayer already have the Champions League secured?
I wouldn’t say so. It can also be that they play completely free and become even stronger. But it’s clear to us that we want to score.
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It won’t be easy for you and the other defenders at Bayer. With Patrik Schick you are facing the second best goal scorer in the Bundesliga. Where do you see him in the ranking with Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Co.?
Every striker has different qualities. But the most difficult striker to defend for me was Haaland. However, it doesn’t matter whether the opponent’s name is Lewandowski, Schick or Haaland: They are so good in different ways that you have to stay awake for 90 minutes and you can’t afford to make any mistakes.
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“We remain very excited”
This also applies to Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, who you will meet with Freiburg in the DFB Cup final on May 21st. How hard is it to hide this game yet?
Not that difficult, because we’ve been looking at the next game at the weekend for the whole season. That may sound like a cliché, but that’s what has made us so strong so far. In any case, it’s good for us that we still have to deliver before the cup game, so we stay excited. After that comes Berlin. But it will be a great experience for all of us.
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In the summer, there’s a change coming up right next to you on defense. Nico Schlotterbeck is leaving the club for Dortmund, but Matthias Ginter is coming back from Gladbach. How do you rate this “exchange”?
I’m happy for Nico that he can take this step after this strong season. And with Ginter we’re getting a player with a lot of experience. He’s a player with great qualities who can certainly help us. But it’s not a one-to-one swap.
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What do you mean?
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Nico is left-footed, Ginter right-footed – that’s a big difference, especially when it comes to opening the game. But of course, there are also things in common: Both players are very strong in tackles and have their strengths in playing with the ball. I let myself be surprised by the rest. But it is already clear to me that we will continue to have a lot of quality on the pitch.
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“Christian Streich attaches great importance to small details”
As in previous years, Schlotterbeck was sold to Caglar Söyüncü and Robin Koch for a lot of money. Central defenders dominate the overview of the most expensive Freiburg departures. How do you explain that?
Well, we’ve lost good attacking players like Luca Waldschmidt in the past, but it’s true: That must have something to do with the fact that a lot of value is placed on a compact defence. And in training we are challenged by the trainer every day, and we also analyze a lot in the video follow-up. Christian Streich attaches great importance to small details – and that’s how the defenders improve.
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You’ve seen coaches like Zinédine Zidane and Rafael Benítez at Real. Streich probably can’t be compared to either of them at all…
That’s very difficult. Christian Streich is the most emotional coach I have ever had. Just as Christian Streich comes across in the media, he is also in the dressing room. He doesn’t pretend, speaks plain language and gives everything he has to strengthen the team and make players better.
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He also did that at Schlotterbeck and Co. These players used Freiburg as a springboard. Is a move to a big European club also your goal? You were at Real Madrid before, but didn’t make it into the senior squad there…
It was always my goal to play in a European competition with the club – we have now achieved that with Freiburg. For me, this is the ideal case. I feel very comfortable in this team and also in the city, so I could well imagine staying here for a while longer. But of course: If the time comes that a top club wants me, I’ll definitely think about it. But I don’t stress about the fact that it has to work.
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Do you have a wish league? For Söyüncü and Koch it was then in the Premier League…
I would be relatively open about that. But I would find the La Liga the coolest (grins). Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to play in the first Spanish league when I was at Real. So it would be nice if that would work out at some point and it would close the circle. But I don’t put any pressure on myself. If I played more than 300 games for Freiburg at the end of my career, I would also look back on it with pride.
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“I took another big step”
They are recommended, at least currently on a very strong level for even higher tasks. How do you see their form this season?
Yes, it was a very stable season for me. If I compare myself to myself three years ago, I’ve made another big step. But of course I can still develop in many things – I see room for improvement there. Such games as recently against Union, for example, should not happen again if possible.
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You can’t switch off for that long after the season with SC Freiburg. There are three games in the Nations League with Austria at the beginning of June – and with Ralf Rangnick as the new coach. How did you take this message?
I also found out about it through the media. But I’m glad. He has a lot of experience in the football business and will strengthen the team with his special ideas. The ÖFB has found a very good coach in Ralf Rangnick.
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So you haven’t had a conversation with Rangnick yet?
No, we will get to know each other at the beginning of June.
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Then you will also meet your ÖFB colleague David Alaba. He’s having a great season at Real Madrid. Is he a role model for all Austrians?
In any case. You only have to look at all the sporting successes and his appearance on the pitch. The way he’s done it over the last few years has been outstanding. It’s nice and helpful when you have him in your immediate environment in the national team and you can learn things from him. David is a world-class defender and a role model for me too.
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