One day, says Julian Guttau, he would like to play football at the highest level possible. “My role model has always been Lionel Messi,” says the 1860 newcomer, “but I also like to watch Mario Götze.”
Windischgarsten – Like all young players, the native of Halle dreams of a top club in a beautiful city, of Bundesliga games and the chance of the Champions League.
Exactly such a club, how ironic, he has just left – SC Freiburg. The catch: Guttau was in the second team from Breisgau and was only allowed to show up sporadically in the first.
There are two reasons why the 23-year-old continues to play in the 3rd division, now with TSV 1860. On the one hand, there are professionals like Vincenzo Grifo (30), Roland Sallai (26) and Noah Weißhaupt (21) – top players and top talents who have blocked Guttau’s path to Freiburg’s first team. Reason number two: “I’m out of the U23 rule now, there are now three or four who are over 23. It had also been communicated beforehand that they would give me the opportunity to focus on myself for another year, so all is well.”
Creative trouble spot – Julian Guttau convinced of Maurizio Jacobacci’s ideas
Guttau is more than satisfied with his season at Freiburg II: “I played many, many good games,” he says: “The only thing I would attach to myself: I could have been a little more efficient in the form of scorers – because you Yes, it’s always measured by that.” Two goals and five assists in 35 appearances isn’t quite what you’d expect from a winger. But Guttau sees himself more as a complete package, as a creative source of trouble, and as such, he thinks he has delivered: “For me it’s important: What do I give the team? I was fitter than ever and sometimes I make a way for fellow players.” In retrospect, also because Freiburg II finished as the second-best team, “that was an outstanding year for me”.
The lions seem to see it that way too. When the inquiry came in 1860, Guttau didn’t have to think twice. A phone call to coach Maurizio Jacobacci gave him the last kick. “It was important for me to talk to him beforehand,” he says: “His ideas about football match mine. I’m not the classic left winger who just hangs on the front line, I like having my freedom. I had a great feeling afterwards and said: I’ll do it!”
“I’m not trying to become the new Boyamba, I’m trying to stay Julian Guttau”
He is aware that Guttau is following in big footsteps at 1860. He grabbed the number 7 jersey from ex-captain Stefan Lex – and he said confidently to his predecessor on the left flank: “I’m not trying to become the new Boyamba, but to stay with Julian Guttau and my strengths bring in.” Joe is a great player, “but I also believe in a lot”.
Guttau’s goal: “It’s important for me to arrive, to put my stamp on myself, to help the team. 1860 is a huge stepping stone for me.” Everything else will come naturally – maybe at some point the call from the Bundesliga too. (Uli Kellner)
2023-07-03 07:37:00
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